What is the "best" stethoscope for the ED?

[jrsRN07]

I need to upgrade my stethoscope before I start working in the ED. I would like to know what do you believe is the best stethoscope for the ED.

Thanks, fellow nurses!

[Footballnut]

Another vote for Littmann Cardiology III. They are nice and I checked a few different ones out. I had an old Littmann Cardiology for years and finally upgraded. That was after an annoying cardiologist called my old one "crap." (Guess he should bring his own to the ED.) I am hearing just fine, thank you.

[Adenosine6]

Looks like Littmann Cardio III has won the vote!

Don't buy the electronic one; 3 of the nurses that have bought it in my ER have glitched and had to be returned to fix it (free of charge to fix).

[exit96]

Littman cardio 3

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

I have a cardiology III and it's great. However, it is heavy. If you could test then and hear just as well with a lighter one, I'd do the lighter one.

[eyesopen_mouthshut, CNA]

Guess what? Another Cardio III here. I got mine from allhearts.com, they have sales every few weeks... I got a pink Cardio III with engraving for only $149. They've got a customer for life from me! (And I got regular shipping... 3-7 business days... I live in FL and got it 4 days after ordering!)

[emmy27]

Go to Ultrascope.com great scopes, reasonably priced and very customized.[/quote']

Another vote for ultra scopes. Back when I was a student, I borrowed one from an instructor and suddenly had that "oh THAT'S what we're listening for" moment. I told my mom, an ED physician, about them, and she ordered one for me- then liked it so much she kept it for herself and gave me her Littman for school instead! I eventually got my own after a few years of practice when my Littman "walked off", and I like the ultrascope so much more. I always felt like I was straining to hear with the Littman, never with the ultrascope.

Bonus points for the fact that they're attractive and totally unique-they have literally hundreds of color and design combos, and you can get them engraved as well. Nobody ever mistakes my purple-tubing, blue tie-dyed head ultra scope with my name on it for theirs. And little kids are fascinated by them, great for distraction during procedures.

[Wolfe24]

I went through several until I settled on the Master Cardiology. I can actually hear stuff through it now! The Cardio III is probably similar, however the Master Cardiology doesn't have a bell and diaphragm, just one side. You can still hear everything by pressing harder or lighter depending on what you're listening for.