Stethescope refurb or get new??

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 16, 2005

It would depend on the price for refurbing. If refurbing is cheaper, i'd go for it (not really sure what you're saying that needs refurbed).

I've got three of them. I've tried out the Cardiology III that belonged to someone else, and couldn't hear NEARLY as well as my Lightweight II SE or Master Classic II. Not to mention that thing weighed a ton around my neck, and the tubing was shorter, which put my face closer to the pt.'s body (which is ackward if the pt. had a well-endowed chest:imbar ).

Mandarella · Apr 16, 2005

Hi Marie,

I read on the Littman site that it may need to be sent in to be "repaired" or "refurbished". I guess it is roughly half the price of the steth, but I just can't figure out why I can't hear well with it ...I thought it was good but then I used my classic II again and it was like someone turned up the volume!

A little bummed...the cheaper works better for me!!!:chuckle I had such high hopes...LOL

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 16, 2005

Does it list what they do when they refurbish it?

Cheaper works better for me, too, i think it just depends on the person using it. Same as shoes, you'll have one person saying "oh, this is the best" while another says "oh those are the worst". lol

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2005

Something else worth looking in to is to see if the hospital you are working at has a 3M contract. For example are all the EKG/monitoring electrodes in you hospital 3M products. I worked in a hospital for years that has said such a contract- by doing so the materials management office has a stock of items to "rebuild/refurbish" most Littmann steths. In fact they actually had enough parts one could have actually built a whole steth.

rj:rolleyes:

Mandarella · Apr 16, 2005

*Refurbishment includes thorough cleaning of the chestpiece and replacement of the tubing, eartubes, diaphragm(s) and rim(s), eartips and nonchill sleeve for double-sided stethoscopes

Refurb info...http://www.3m.com/us/healthcare/professionals/littmann/jhtml/pricing.jhtml

Here are some links for care...

http://cms.3m.com/cms/GB/en/2-157/ccRzrFS/view.jhtml

http://www.3m.com/us/healthcare/professionals/littmann/jhtml/cleaning_care.jhtml

Repair info...http://www.3m.com/us/healthcare/professionals/littmann/jhtml/repairs.jhtml

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 16, 2005

Refurbishment includes thorough cleaning of the chestpiece and replacement of the tubing, eartubes, diaphragm(s) and rim(s), eartips and nonchill sleeve for double-sided stethoscopes

Wow. Sounds like a new one is being made lol.

Mandarella · Apr 16, 2005

RIGHT!!!! LOL!!!! My thoughts EXACTLY!!!:chuckle

Wow. Sounds like a new one is being made lol.

Mandarella · Apr 16, 2005

WOW! I had no idea. I will have to check into that. THANKS!

Something else worth looking in to is to see if the hospital you are working at has a 3M contract. For example are all the EKG/monitoring electrodes in you hospital 3M products. I worked in a hospital for years that has said such a contract- by doing so the materials management office has a stock of items to "rebuild/refurbish" most Littmann steths. In fact they actually had enough parts one could have actually built a whole steth.
rj:rolleyes:

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2005

I don't know how it works with adult size stethoscopes, but with pedi and newborn Littmans, a stethoscope still under warranty will have everything but the bell repaced for free. It costs $30 or so to buy the same thing if it's out of warranty (tubing, earpieces to the tips). All you have to do is attach the tubing. I haven't tried to buy a diaphragm, but those are easy remove for cleaning.