Quit stealing my stethoscopes!

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

Tired of having people take them. Half the time, I'm sure it's an honest mistake, but I've now lost a total of 3 this way. An 80 dollar ultrascope, a 180 dollar littman (which I eventually got returned to me, but then my wonderful dog ate it the next week...first time she'd ever managed to climb up on the counter) and then a 40 dollar littman.

All of these had my name engraved. One was very unique. I am just tired of spending money so I can take care of my patients to have them disappear. I know everyone says keep them on you. But if you have an iso patient, and you dont want to take it in the room and things get busy, it's easy to forget and set it down on the counter (which seems to be my main issue for them to take a permanent vacation).

Sorry for the vent. I just need a "trick" I guess so I can not keep wasting money.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I have an electronic steth and it only leaves my neck to listen to a pt. When I go into an isolation room, I still keep it around my neck.

My only advice - always keep it around your neck.

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

Keep it in your pocket if you do not like wearing it on your neck. Or get a clip thingy to hold it to your pants. NEVER set on down on a counter or as you learned, it won't be seen again. Except maybe around a Dr.s neck. :lol2:

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

Also, if it does get around a Dr's neck, simply cross end over end (such as tying a man's neck tie), grab hold of each end, and pull snugly. Once Dr feels choking sensation, it has been said that the Dr will hand stethoscope back over to nurse.

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I have the same issue... and am tired of buying new steths... so what i do is just use the ones my hospital supplies, its not the best but i am tired of spending money on it

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Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

raza, good thing your hospital provides stethoscopes that are worthy of using! my facility uses less than playskool worthy type scopes and i would never use one on a daily basis, since the plastic falls apart after one or two uses! you are lucky i would say!

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I've been told to "never ever ever" let anyone borrow my stethoscope because they have a tendency to not be returned if it's a good one. As far as isolation, usually I jam it in my scrub pocket, so it will be covered by the isolation gown. Keeping it in a pocket also prevents it from getting snagged on bedrails or smacking yourself in the face with it. A colleague was once strangled by a delirious patient who grabbed her stethoscope.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

[color=slategray]i still have my original littman back from when there was only one kind. i have a newer, nicer one with my name engraved on it that i use at work, but i've never lost one. keep it on your person at all times -- or put it in your locker or your bag. if you go into an isolation room, keep it on under your isolation gown. do not lend it to anyone no matter what the circumstances. i have had mds grab my stethoscope off my neck to use -- in which case i tell them to make sure they clean it well because i just cannot get over my ear infection. they usually hand it right back!

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Specializes in Oncology, LTC.

Mine just got taken, what a time for this thread! We have lockers on our unit, but there aren't enough for all of us, so we have cubby holes. There has NEVER been an issue of stealing. I worked Christmas Eve, put my steth in my cubby, and came back 12/26 to find it gone. After the holiday no less!! I only hope that it fell out and someone found it on the floor and placed it in their locker. I can only hope....

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Interesting ideas from other medical forums:

1) One guy tapes a piece of paper (or, writes on the tube with magic marker) "For isolation use only! (his name)." He says he's never had a scope snaked.

2) An ENTIRE medical school class in Britain had their scopes engraved, and bought the Pepto Bismol Pink tubing. Noen have since been stolen. ;-)

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Check it Out! "Nurses Without Stethoscopes." For nurses who have been thieved by (mostly) residents.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=34887653879

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I have never lost a stethoscope. I Keep it around my neck.

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