The stethoscope is a device used to auscultate cardiac and respiratory sounds, but in many cases it can also help detect sounds produced in the intestine or murmurs caused by blood flow in arteries and veins. Which stethoscope you need for your practice depends on the type of healthcare professional you are. This instrument allows the physician to make a more detailed diagnosis of the patient’s conditions.
Which stethoscope do you need for your practice: Types
Acoustic stethoscopes
These are the most classic type, typically consisting of a bell — usually made of steel — which provides the best acoustics. They have a rubber tube, a very important component, as the thickness of the tube determines how well the sound from auscultation is isolated. The metal arc makes it easier to fit or secure within the ear to exclude sounds from the environment.
They are also used to auscultate the patient at a cardiac, pulmonary and abdominal level, and to thoroughly examine murmurs, blood pressure, peristaltic sounds, and more. Which stethoscope you need for your practice depends on its type and intended use:
- Paediatric stethoscopes: They have a medium-sized bell and are used primarily with children.
- Neonatal stethoscopes: These have a very small bell.
- Adult stethoscopes: Their bell is larger than the above.
Smart electronic stethoscopes
This is a modern and cutting-edge product for patient examination. It is an evolution of the stethoscopes mentioned above and delivers more efficient results to the healthcare professional or physician. It is easy to use and enables:
- Significant sound amplification.
- Recording the examination in real time as it is being performed.
- Interchangeable bells depending on your needs.
- Sharing examination results via an audio file with other physicians.
- Viewing the phonocardiogram.
Each of these features of the stethoscope provides a wide range of advantages for detailed and effective patient monitoring:
- Enables more thorough patient follow-up and more accurate results.
- You can present the test at clinical meetings.
- Easy integration of the recording into the electronic health record.
- Allows for a more objective view of diagnoses.
Obstetric stethoscope
This has a bell shape and is very rigid. In terms of which stethoscope you need for your practice, this model offers excellent acoustics and is therefore better suited for auscultating the cardiac tones of the embryo in the maternal womb, from the fourth month of pregnancy onwards. The drawback of this device is that its rigidity means patients must adopt uncomfortable positions to accommodate it.
Which stethoscope do you need for your practice: method of use
High-frequency mode: Also known as diaphragm mode, it is pressed firmly against the patient, just like all other stethoscopes. When pressure is applied, the membrane moves slightly inward until it contacts an internal ring. This ring obstructs the movement of the membrane, attenuating the longer wavelengths of low-frequency sounds and allowing only the shorter wavelengths of high-frequency sounds to be heard.
Low-frequency mode: Also called bell mode, this involves not pressing the stethoscope against the patient — it is simply rested on the patient’s skin. The membrane is supported by a flexible rim that settles against it. This allows the membrane to vibrate freely and transmit low-frequency sounds.
Knowing which stethoscope you need for your practice always depends on how you intend to use it, as it is an indispensable item in any physician’s consulting room. Remember that at Salvador Navarro you will find all the tools needed to complete your practice, such as medical trolleys for small consulting rooms or folding examination couches. Above all, we are here to give you advice when it comes to choosing any type of medical instrument. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.