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Frequently Asked Questions+−
- What Is The Best Stethoscope For Hearing Impaired?
- What Is The Best Littmann Stethoscope For Paramedics?
- How Long Should A Good Stethoscope Last?
- How Much Does A Good Stethoscope Cost?
- Which Stethoscopes Are Best For Nurses In Training?
- Does The Price Of A Stethoscope Determine It’s Quality (Are More Expensive Stethoscopes Better?)
- What Should I Look For When Buying A Stethoscope?
- What Is The Major Difference Between A Single Head And Dual Head Stethoscope?
- How Do I Maintain My Stethoscope?
Best Stethoscope for ICU nurses:
For ER and ICU nurses, a stethoscope is one of the most important tools needed for various activities including picking up your patient’s heartbeat, blood pressure monitoring, and breathing sounds. The accuracy of these monitoring activities is determined by the quality of stethoscope you use. This only means to achieve maximum efficiency on the job, a good stethoscope is needed.
That is why it is advisable to go for the best stethoscope for ER and ICU nurses.
There are many brands and models of stethoscopes in the market, so you need to put some factors into consideration before you buy.
Best Stethoscope for ICU Nurses
In this review, I will take a look at some of the best stethoscope for ER and ICU Nurses. Before I do, let’s go deeper into those factors you need to consider before buying.
Simplicity – The stethoscope you buy should be very simple to use, both in design and functionality. Considering the fact that emergencies require urgent attention, and an easy-to-use stethoscope is your best bet.
Foldability – This has to be considered as well. You need one that is easy to fold and put away. Dual tube stethoscopes aren’t easy to fold, so this won’t be a good option for you.
Comfort – A stethoscope with large ear tips aren’t what you need as far as your comfort is concerned. Go for stethoscopes that have extra ear tips with different sizes.
Now let’s get into the reviews of the best stethoscope for ICU Nurses . Read on!
3M Littmann Cardiology IV Diagnostic Stethoscope
This product is a great tool for ER and ICU nurses. It has a very sturdy build and it possesses great functionality. This is exactly what the medics need to make those critical decisions.
With this stethoscope, you can pick out the softest of sounds in your patient. Every change in your patient’s sound will be picked up by this product, even in challenging environments.
This stethoscope makes it easy to listen to and identify very hard-to-hear sounds such as S3 gallop murmurs and aortic stenosis.
This stethoscope comes with a learning app which you can download from the Google Store. With this app, you can have self-paced lessons with heart and lung sounds. It can also help you improve your diagnostic thinking and you can carry out self-tests to assess your progress.
The app also comes with a sound library and some extra useful features.
Pros
- Comes with a learning app
- It can pick out subtle sounds in challenging environments
- Ergonomic build
Cons
- Some users have complained that the tube is too thick
3M Littmann Classic 3 Monitoring Stethoscope
This is another great stethoscope to have handy in the ER or ICU. It helps you track changes in your patient’s sounds accurately.
It is also suitable for use in non-critical care environments. These include the medical office, ward, and ambulatory clinic.
It comes with an ID tag so you can identify the stethoscope easily. It also comes with one write-on and one engravable name plate. All these qualities make it one of the best stethoscopes for ICU nurses.
The manufacturers of this stethoscope are confident of their product, and that is why it comes with a 5 year warranty.
Pros
- It can be used in non critical care environments
- It comes with a 5 year warranty
- It comes with a write-on and engravable name plate
Cons
- It doesn’t have a learning app
3M Littmann 2141 Master Classic 2 Stethoscope
The ergonomic design of this stethoscope has been hailed by users. It is easy to use and it gives you excellent audibility for an accurate diagnosis.
Your comfort is taken into good consideration with this product. The headset is anatomically designed to fit the path of the ear canal.
It has a tunable diaphragm that lets you pick both low and high frequency sounds.
It would interest you to know that this stethoscope is made from latex free materials for the sake of allergy sensitive users.
This stethoscope is suitable not just for professional doctors and nurses, but for medical students as well.
Pros
- It is great for allergy sensitive users
- Very good ergonomic design
- It is comfortable
- Picks up high and low frequency sounds
- Comes in a wide variety of colors
Cons
- Some users have complained that they noticed cracks in the tubing after a few months of use
- Some also complained that their packages did not come with extra ear tips
MDF MD Stainless Steel Premium Dual Head Stethoscope
In terms of materials, this is one of the best stethoscopes you will find. It is handcrafted and is made with 100% stainless steel so you can be sure it is sturdy and will last you a very long time.
Speaking of its long-lasting ability, this stethoscope comes with a lifetime warranty.
The package comes with 3 pairs of MDF Comfortseal ear tips – small, regular and large. These ear tips are easy on the ears so you won’t experience any pain during and after use.
It is also very safe to use, it features patented SafetyLock ear tip adaptors that are non-invasive.
As for durability, well you have nothing to worry about. It has a dual spring construction that gives you 2 times the durability of other models.
Pros
- It is very safe to use
- 100% stainless steel construction keeps it sturdy
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- It is latex free (good for allergy sensitive users)
Cons
- It is slightly heavier than other brands/models
ADC Adscope 600 Platinum Series Cardiology Stethoscope With Tunable AFD Technology
For a better acoustic performance, this stethoscope has an adjustable frequency design (AFD). This helps you pick out a wide range of sounds and sound changes in your patient’s heartbeat & blood pressure.
It features a high performance cardiology headset which is designed with large-bore stainless steel binaurals and 2 Adsoft Plus silicone eartips. These give you the ultimate experience in comfort and acoustic seal.
You’d be glad to know that this stethoscope comes with a lifetime warranty.
This stethoscope is ideal for training doctors and nurses. It is the perfect tool for the ER and ICU.
Pros
- It picks up subtle sounds even in noisy environments
- It comes with a lifetime warranty
- The Adsoft Plus silicone ear tips are very comfortable
- It comes in multiple colors
Cons
- Some users have complained that the tubing is too stiff
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Stethoscope For Hearing Impaired?
For those who have hearing issues, a high quality amplified stethoscope is recommended.
You can consider these –
- Littmann Cardiology 3
- Littmann Master Cardiology
- Littmann 3100
- Welch Allyn Master Elite Electronic
What Is The Best Littmann Stethoscope For Paramedics?
The Littmann Classic 2 SE is a great choice. It is built with sound-reduction technology which helps block out noises from emergency scenes.
How Long Should A Good Stethoscope Last?
This depends on the model or brand of stethoscope, since they are all built with different materials.
However, a good stethoscope should last for a minimum of 2 years. Actually, most manufacturers advise that stethoscopes be replaced every 2 years.
How Much Does A Good Stethoscope Cost?
Prices vary, depending on the model, brand and other specifications like material and functionality.
Generally, there are low priced stethoscopes and high priced stethoscopes. You can find a good stethoscope for as low as $75 Dollars, other more expensive brands and models could cost as high as $300 Dollars.
Which Stethoscopes Are Best For Nurses In Training?
There are many brands and models of stethoscopes that can be used to train nurses.
Some of these brands include –
- 3M Littmann Classic 3 stethoscope
- 3M Littmann Lightweight 2 SE
- 3M Littmann Cardiology IV stethoscope
- ADC ADSCOOE 603 stainless stethoscope
Does The Price Of A Stethoscope Determine It’s Quality (Are More Expensive Stethoscopes Better?)
Usually, a more expensive stethoscope has more advanced features than the cheaper ones. One of such features is a clearer sound.
That is not to say that a cheaper stethoscope cannot be as effective as the more expensive ones. Keep in mind that some stethoscopes can be pricy, purely based on the power of being a brand name.
What Should I Look For When Buying A Stethoscope?
As I mentioned earlier in this article, there are several things to consider when you’re looking for a stethoscope to buy.
These include –
- Simplicity
- Versatility
- Comfort
- Sound quality
What Is The Major Difference Between A Single Head And Dual Head Stethoscope?
In terms of physical appearance, a dual head stethoscope has a back-to-back chest piece, while the single head stethoscope has only one head, with an edgy ‘backbone’ on the other side.
How Do I Maintain My Stethoscope?
Being an important and delicate piece of medical equipment, stethoscopes have to be properly maintained for best results.
Here are some general maintenance tips for stethoscopes –
- In a case where your stethoscope needs to be disinfected, use a clean, white piece of cloth and wipe with 70% isopropyl alcohol solution
- Do not dip your stethoscope into liquid
- Keep your stethoscope away from extreme heat and cold
- Remove ear tips occasionally for cleaning
Conclusion
For an ICU or ER nurse, picking up your patient’s heartbeat, blood pressure and breath sounds accurately can only be done with a good stethoscope.
For this reason, you have to go for the best of the best, as your patient’s life may depend on it.
Hope this review of the best stethoscope for ER and ICU nurses has been informative.
Take care!