Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
Best Watches for Stethoscopes
One of the most important factors in medical care is time. It plays a big role in medical treatment, so the observation and application of time factors is very important.
There’s a time to administer a drug, time for the drug to take effect, time for healing etc.
As a medical practitioner, stethoscopes are also an important tool for the job, and having the ability to conveniently keep track of time while working is very important.
There are several brands of watches which are specially designed to be compatible with stethoscopes. As a practitioner, you may be confused as to which of these watches to buy.
Not to worry, in this article I will be giving you some great recommendations. Keep reading, as I list out some of the best watches for stethoscopes you can find in the market.
Why Is Time Important In Medical Care?
In healthcare, time-lines are the system’s capacity to provide care as soon as a medical need is identified.
On-time delivery of appropriate care can help reduce mortality rate among patients, especially for those with chronic conditions.
It is important to time every facet of patient care to perfection. Below are 2 areas where accurate timing is important.
Drug Administration
Doctors and nurses are legally mandated to record every minute of patient care. This is necessary so that fatal consequences can be avoided.
It is important that life-saving drugs are administered at required intervals. This means the exact time of administration must be recorded.
If drugs are administered too early, then the problem might become even more complicated. If it is recorded too late, then the outcome may be fatal.
Staff changes are common in hospitals and other health centers. That is why keeping records of the time of drug administration is important, so the new staff on duty knows the patient’s drug schedule.
During Surgery
Knowing the amount of time that has been spent during critical operations is very important.
During cardiac arrest scenarios, timing is crucial when it comes to resuscitation of a patient.
The U.K’s resuscitation council’s guidelines for resuscitation recommend that doctors should attempt resuscitation procedures for at least 15 minutes after cardiac arrest.
If a single clock is out of sync by as little as 1 minute, then it could potentially cost a life.
For the administration of anesthetics, anesthesiologists also rely on accurate timing. If a dose is not correctly timed, it could lead to further complications.
Qualities To Consider Before Buying A Watch For Stethoscope
There are several factors one should take into account when buying a watch for stethoscope.
Some of these factors include –
Ease of use:
It is ideal to buy a watch that is easy to use when caught in the middle of a job. The timers or stopwatches need to be easy to set. Simple and quick
Visibility:
Be advised to buy a watch with which you can tell time at a glance, especially during emergencies.
If it’s an analog watch, then the numbers should be bold and easy to read. If it’s a digital watch, the numbers should be bold too.
The numbering style should also be simple. Remember, you’re not on the job to make a fashion statement, you’re there to help save lives, and a simple, easy-to-read watch is your best bet.
A bonus would be a watch that has an LED backlight feature, or glow-in-the-dark feature for night time use.
Ease of cleaning:
A watch for your stethoscope would most likely be exposed to the same stains as the stethoscope itself. Which is why it should also be easy to clean.
You would want one that can be cleaned with a quick swipe across the face.
Hang-on ability:
A watch that can firmly hang on, or strap on to your stethoscope is what you’ll be needing. You wouldn’t want your watch letting loose and falling off your scope during an emergency.
Liquid resistance:
Be advised to go for a watch that is resistant to liquid, commonly blood and water.
When washing hands, splashes of water can get on your watch and could cause damages if it is not liquid resistant.
Weight:
Remember, you’re attaching your watch to your stethoscope, this means extra weight.
If the watch is heavy, then that would only mean more stress for you. Buy one that is light.
Best Watches For Stethoscope Review
Now that each of the above listed factors have been considered, we can proceed to take a look at my top picks one by one.
Prestige Medical Stethoscope Analog Watch With Medical Symbols
This watch has a very simple design and it is easy to read. It also has medical symbols on the face.
It is designed with a clip that attaches to most stethoscope tubing. It also has a 24 hour face with step second hands.
It is a water resistant watch so you can work with it in wet conditions.
Pros
- It is water resistant
- It is easy to read
- It is lightweight (0.8 ounces)
- It latches on very securely to stethoscope tube
Cons
- Some customers have complained that it is difficult removing the back cover during battery replacement
- Some customers are of the opinion that the ticking shouldn’t be as loud as it is
Lancardo Retractable Stethoscope Nurse Watch For Women
Lancardo has been in business since 2015, and they never disappoint with their trendy, fashionable nurse watches.
This analog watch features large, easy-to-read Arabic numerals and a lovely flower pattern that make it nice to look at.
The clip is quite tough, it latches on tightly to prevent the watch from falling off. It could be hung almost anywhere.
It has a silicone cover that is very easy to clean and the watch itself is very tough and durable.
It weighs 2.08 ounces.
Pros
- It is easy to clean
- The clip is super strong
- Easy to read Arabic numerals
- It comes with extra batteries
Cons
- It is heavier than some other brands
Prestige Analog Medical Stethoscope Watch
This is another great stethoscope watch from Prestige. It has a very strong back clip that fits perfectly to most stethoscope tubes, making it an excellent choice for nurses, doctors and paramedics.
Just like the previous model I mentioned in this article, it also has a 24 hour dial and a 15 second marked quadrant.
The downside of this stethoscope is the ticking noise it makes. When attached to the tube, the noise gets into the stethoscope. This may not be a problem for people who are not so sensitive to external noise.
It is still one of the best in the market, thanks to its superb battery life and how easy it is to read. The battery can last for up to 3 years before you will ever need to replace them.
Pros
- It is easy to read
- It is easy to clean
- The back clip latches firmly to almost any stethoscope tube
- It is quite affordable
- It has a long lasting battery
Cons
- Some users have complained about the ticking noise getting into the stethoscope
Dakota Clip-on Water Resistant Retractable Nurse Watch
Being water resistant, this watch is ideal for wet situations. It can be submerged as far as 100 feet into the water without being damaged, that’s amazing!
Another cool feature of this watch is that it has an ID/badge holder.
It features a contrasting color second hand, and 15 second color pulse quadrant for taking vitals.
Pros
- It is water resistant up to 100 feet
- It has an ID card holder
- It is easy to read
Cons
- Some users have complained that the bulging part of the clip is on the wrong side
- It is not as rugged as other brands
- Valencia Med Stethoscope Watch
With this watch, it is very easy to count patient pulse and respiration during assessment.
The clip is strong and it hangs firmly on the stethoscope, making it very hard to fall off.
It also has a bright purple color that adds some extra beauty to it. It’s a watch that female nurses would love.
As far as durability, it is not as strong as the other watches I have mentioned in this review, but it’s still a good buy.
Considering the fact that it is cheaper than others in its class, I’d say it’s perfect for nurses on a tight budget.
Pros
- It is lightweight (weighs just 0.8 ounces)
- The clip is very strong so it hangs on firmly
- Counting patient pulse is easy with this watch
Cons
- Customers have complained that the battery doesn’t last long
- It is made of cheap materials so it is not as durable as you would like it to be
Hemobllo Clip-on Quartz Watch
This is the last on my list, but that doesn’t make it the lowest ranked. It’s a very good stethoscope watch.
It comes in black color and it is made of durable alloy and glass materials.
It has an easy-to-read dial and clips on tight to uniforms or stethoscopes. It is also very multi-functional, as it can be used outdoors.
Great watch!
Pros
- Very durable
- Multi-functional
- Easy to read
Cons
- It doesn’t have a date/calendar feature
Conclusion
Those are my top 6 picks for best watches for stethoscopes.
Hope you found one you like!