Strange stethoscope question

[Username invalid, RN]

First, some quick backstory. My question is at the end if you want to skip to it.

I'm lucky to have a genius for doctor. He also bleeds enthusiasm, so when I asked him about stethoscopes, he was wonderful. I'm going to include the advice that I can remember. Anyhow, my doctor's nurse (who is equally amazing,) immediately volunteered his Littmann Classic II SE for me to try on. It was very soft on my ears, not heavy on my neck, and my school recommends Littman, anyhow. I will be getting that model. My doc strongly agreed with the decision.

Next, doc gave a few other recommendations (ex: don't buy the Master Classic Littmamn, it's a rip-off, he said. Get a dual head, not a single, he said.) The biggest piece of advice he gave was this: whatever I choose to use for clinicals will, 100%, "walk off."

So, he led me out of the patient room that we room we were in. We walked down a hall - & stopped at a large box of junk stethoscopes. He had me try on a couple of these on until I found that I was happy with. On this particular stethoscope, he showed me how parts of the.. bell (err.. maybe it was the diaphragm - I wasn't sure what I was looking at, then) were removable, "which is really nice if you ever need to replace parts" he said. He then pulled up the allheart website & showed it to me -the stethoscope was only $10. This was just last Friday, btw. I don't know what I was looking at, so now I'm lost.

Here's the question: What stethoscope has removable parts by the bell/or diaphragm, is about $10, and works well? I could swear that the brand was allheart.I also know that the bell had ridges around it, like a quarter. Although I've looked up & down the website, I can't quite figure out which has removable parts....

Thanks so much for your thoughts.

Wishing all of you a happy & safe Thanksgiving.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Most stethoscopes allow you to remove and replace the diaphragm. It is inadvisable to remove the head or earpieces from a Littman because that cuts down on the sound quality, but I can tell you from sad experience that it is possible.

[jess.mont, ADN, RN]

Could it have been this one?

Prestige Medical Basics Sprague Rappaport Stethoscope | allheart.com

[Username invalid, RN]

Ruby, thanks so much! Explaining what I didn't know was extremely insightful of you & led me to my answer. & thanks for helping me shop, Jess! (BTW- the Black Friday sale is kind of awesome right now)

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Ruby, thanks so much! Explaining what I didn't know was extremely insightful of you & led me to my answer. & thanks for helping me shop, Jess! (BTW- the Black Friday sale is kind of awesome right now)

As long as you're doing it on-line. I shudder to think what actual stores are like right now!

[AliNajaCat]

I have a terrific Littman and the head fell off the tubing within about a month of my getting it. Although Littman is really excellent about standing by their products, I figured I'd just fix it myself, so I went to the hardware store and got an itty-bitty pipe clamp, and cut off the excess once it was on snugly. I used that thing for two decades...and nobody ever stole it.

Hint for keeping your stethoscope from being stolen: As soon as you get it, unscrew the ring around the diaphragm side and remove the plastic diaphragm. On the INSIDE surface, write your name BACKWARDS; one way to do this is while looking in a mirror, or write it on a pad of paper while looking in the mirror, then trace that. Put the diaphragm back in place, screw the ring back, and you're all set. You can still clean the thing with an alcohol wipe without removing the letters and anybody who swipes it will have your name on it.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

If you get a Littman, don't lend it to anyone. They have a tendency to grow little legs and walk off -- although I've seen the residents' on call room and counted several stethoscopes belonging to the nursing staff.

[BAY AREA RN, BSN]

all heart is the web site and i just seen 10 dollar scopes on there

[Username invalid, RN]

I found it! This $13 dude is who I was hunting for! I was chasing him down so he can protect my pretty new Littmann from the theives.... He may not be fancy, but he works and he's comfy in my ear holes... a good man to sacrifice.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

I found it! This $13 dude is who I was hunting for! I was chasing him down so he can protect my pretty new Littmann from the theives.... He may not be fancy, but he works and he's comfy in my ear holes... a good man to sacrifice.

Get the pink one. It's been my experience that most stethoscope thieves are male MDs, and pink wouldn't seem like their color.

[Username invalid, RN]

Good idea! Thank you

[AliNajaCat]

If you get a Littman, don't lend it to anyone. They have a tendency to grow little legs and walk off -- although I've seen the residents' on call room and counted several stethoscopes belonging to the nursing staff.

I rode in a hospitalist's van once and saw about a dozen stethoscopes on the floor in the back. Another way I used to protect mine was by attaching a pen to the chest piece with a piece of plastic cord long enough for the pen to be in my pocket. Wanna borrow my steth? Sure. Let me just take the cap off the pen first... It always came right back.