Stethoscope Length?

ageless · Jan 17, 2003

In theory, the shorter the length the better quality of sound. I have been know to cut the length of my littman for better distinction of sounds.

deespoohbear · Jan 17, 2003

I like the shorter ones too. Not so much for the better sound, but the patient has to reach up farther to grab the stethoscope before they can choke you. Gives you time to get away....

RN2B2005 · Jan 17, 2003

Check out the official Littmann site...you can find it using Google.

They actually studied whether or not there was an appreciable difference in sound conduction with the shorter tubes vs. the longer tubes. There wasn't.

Littmann makes a 32" veterinary stethoscope (identical to the Master Classic II except for the length of the tube), and I used this stethoscope when I still worked as a veterinary technician. The sound quality was fabulous, even with a squirming, barking patient while auscultating through fur.

Now I have a Cardio III in the 27" length, and although I've only practised on my husband, the sound quality seems to be pretty good.

renerian, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2003

I like the shorter one.............jemb funny on the cough!

renerian

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2003

One of my coworkers ended up with a terrible cracked area in the tubing from wearing it around her neck. One night it broke so bad it was unusable. One of the guys cut out the damaged area and jury-rigged it together with a spot tie to tide her over until she got a new one. it was a good 8 or so inches shorter (was 27").

She found out Littmann would repair damaged stethoscopes so she sent it in, hoping they would replace the tubing and then she could have her 27" stethoscope again. When they sent it back they had indeed replaced the tubing... but had cut it to the same length as the one she sent them. They sent her a note saying that while they had done research showing that customers liked the 27" tubing for XYZ reason yadda yadda, they would be happy to cut hers to the length she previously had.

AHarri66, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2003

I like my short Littman Master Cardio...and I keep it in my pocket. :eek:

lenawa · Jan 18, 2003

As a note of interest, when i was in nursing school, one of my instructors would not allow us to wear stethascopes around our necks stating it was a bad habit to get into. apparently there had been research linking nurses/docs who regularly wore them around their necks to increased neck injuries, kind of like a repetitive strain injury. don't know where/when study was from, but found it interesting

globalRN · Jan 18, 2003

I get patients to turn their heads somewhat to the left/right' by asking them to look over 'there' to a spot I will point out. That way, they aren't breathing all over me, or coughing in my face if I am auscultating their anterior chest.

ageless · Jan 18, 2003

when i was in nursing school we we not allowed to were it around our necks because our instructors called it looking "presumptuous"

boggle, ASN, RN · Jan 18, 2003

How are you measuring tubing length? I have an Ultrascope. I'm not sure where to begin measuring length, but it's pretty long. Very fine, excellent, wonderful, sound with the long tubing.

The manufacturer suggests cleaning the tubing regularly with "Pledge" because the body oils, (from wearing it around the neck?), will degrade the plastic.

Jay-Jay, RN · Jan 18, 2003

My Littman had a 22" tubing, and I found I had a terrible time reading the old fashioned wall-mounted blood pressure monitors! I couldn't see them unless I craned my neck at an awkward angle. I got a 27" tubing, and cut it to a comfortable length (about 24" from bell to 'Y')

kaycee · Jan 18, 2003

I would never spend a lot of money on a stethoscope. They constantly walk in the ER. Mine cost around $20 bucks and for what I use it for it works just fine.