taking care of stethoscope tubing

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Hello everyone,

I have read that you shouldn't wear your stethoscope around your neck, as the oils from your skin will eventually cause the tubing to stiffen. I see nurses wear their stethoscopes around their necks all the time however, including my nursing school lab instructor. My instructor stated that she has had her Littmann for almost 20 years now, and the tubing looks as fine and flexible as can be.

Does anyone have any experience regarding this, or any tips or tricks for taking care of my stethoscope? I really like my own Littmann, and I think it would be cool if I could make it last 20 years or so as well.

thanks!

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Word of advice - DO NOT hang your 'scope onto your car's rear view mirror.

Sunlight will 'bake' it. And it may be technically against the law as it 'obstructs windshield vision'.

(A cop stopped me once and 'nicely' let me know... )

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

I had a Littmann. A new grad gift to myself a long time ago.

Tubing became stiff and cracked.

Some of the nurses where I work put fabric "sleeves" on their stethoscopes.

Different colors and patterns for whatever time of year it is. They look homemade. Really cute. You might try that.

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This may sound a bit unorthodox but certain auto interior care products (Armor All, etc...) should work great on steth tubing.

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I have "cable organizer tubing" coiled around the steth tubing to protect it. I've heard the cloth covers aren't all that great to have on (sanitary issue I'm thinking).

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Specializes in ICU.

I have a fabric sheath for mine and I also armor-all it regularly. I wash the fabric sheath every time I wash my scrubs, so while I'm sure it's more unsanitary than not having one, it's not as unsanitary as it could be. I am also extra vigilant about trying to avoid it ever coming into contact with a patient or even my hands after I have touched a patient. I just try to touch the rest of my stethoscope to pick it up if I haven't just washed my hands. I realized this doesn't cover airborne or droplet-spread infections, but that's why I wash it so often. :)

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