Auscultation of the chest is the process of using a stethoscope to listen to sounds produced inside the chest area, in order to detect abnormality of heart or lung function. It is a medical procedure and is normally carried out by qualified medical practitioners. However, it can also be of use to other professionals, such … Read more
As a medical professional, you know the importance of keeping your equipment and tools clean. Whether its your ADC otoscope or your Littmann Master Cardiology stethoscope, proper care must be taken to ensure that it is clean. Unfortunately, many professionals do not know the proper way to clean their stethoscope and could potentially be putting their … Read more
Every person working in the medical field is well aware of what a stethoscope is and it is used for. But the question is, how much do medical professionals really know about the stethoscope? Most likely, any medical professional knows that there are different kinds of units as well as the feature of each unit. … Read more
Tons of stethoscope manufacturers would claim that they have the best device in the world. There are a variety of stethoscope models out in the market today, yet the spotlight and the hot seat is now on the rivalry between the double sided stethoscope and the single tunable stethoscope. Littmann is the premier stethoscope manufacturer … Read more
Earpiece The earpiece allows for a tight seal between the user and the tubing of the stethoscope. They are commonly found in either plastic or rubber. Ear Tubes or Binaural The ear tubes aka binaural, help provide a rigid structure for the user end of the stethoscope. In combination with the spring they help to … Read more
The origin of the stethoscope can be traced back to 19th Century France. René-Théophile-Hyacinthe Laennec was a French physician who was uncomfortable placing his head on the chest of women to listen to their hearts. His invention of the what he called the stethoscope can be pinned to the year 1816. The original stethoscope was … Read more
Stethoscopes are not just for use by doctors. If there was any question about that then the firestorm surrounding Miss Colorado and some uneducated comments from the Joy Behar of ‘The View’ fame has put that to rest. When she stepped before the cameras Miss Colorado Kelley Johnson probably had no clue that her outstanding … Read more
Crackles are a common sound auscultated in the lungs. They are also sometimes referred to as crepitations, or rales. Crackles are caused by the sudden opening of smaller airways and alveoli collapsed by fluid or secretions. Crackles are classified by several different factors. Their pitch and sound characteristics Fine- high pitched and brief Medium Coarse- lower … Read more
We can’t avoid the presence of germs on our stethoscopes. It is just a part microbiology and the world we live in. Unfortunately, in the process of caring for multiple patients we have the potential to carry these contaminants between patients. Potentially causing an infection that could have otherwise been prevented. The stethoscope becomes a … Read more
Stethoscopes are a tool. The people using stethoscopes are skilled workers. Many users are masters of their trade and specialty. Much as a mechanic might wear out a good wrench, individuals working in the medical field eventually reach a time when they need to part ways with their trusty stethoscope and find a new model. … Read more