Understanding Healthcare

Littmann Stethoscope Buyer’s Guide: Part 2

Let’s say you need a stethoscope but you aren’t interested in a cardiology-grade scope. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for inferior quality or acoustics! 3M Littmann offers several models of Classic II and Select stethoscopes sure to meet your needs. Each stethoscope exemplifies the hallmark Littmann quality and attention to detail.

3M Littmann Master Classic II Stethoscope

The Master Classic II gives you the best acoustics available without the price tag of a cardiology scope. The single-sided, ergonomic chestpiece is great for healthcare providers who spend considerable amounts of time using their stethoscopes and will appreciate the award winning, easy-to-hold design. Nurses and EMTs report that the Master Classic II fits more easily under blood pressure cuffs than other bulky, two-sided models. You will still be able to use the bell mode thanks to Littman’s tunable diaphragm. The Master Classic II comes with a three year manufacturer’s warranty.

3M Littmann Classic II Pediatric Stethoscope

The Classic II Pediatric Stethoscope will give you the greatest versatility when working with children. The child-sized bell and floating diaphragm on this dual-head scope will give you the highest acoustic sensitivity for listening to your smallest patients. The kid-friendly tubing colors guarantee that your pediatric patients will love your scope as much as you do! The Classic II Pediatric Stethoscope comes with a three year manufacturer’s warranty.

3M Littmann Classic II S.E. Stethoscope

If you are looking for a traditional, dual-head scope, consider the Classic II S.E. Stethoscope for excellent acoustics and versatility. You can use the diaphragm on one side and the bell on the other side, or take advantage of the tunable diaphragm to switch between low- and high-frequency sounds without turning the chestpiece over. Three year manufacturer’s warranty.  The Classic II S.E.is a great choice for general practitioners, medical students, and nurses.

3M Littmann Lightweight II S.E. Stethoscope

Don’t want a scope that will drag you down? The Lightweight II S.E. Stethoscope is a great entry-level, lightweight scope with clear acoustics. Another plus is the unique chestpiece design that’s easier to orient around blood pressure cuffs and body curves. The chestpiece features a traditional bell on one side and a tunable diaphragm on the other. Two year manufacturer’s warranty.  The Lightweight II S.E. is ideal for nurses and EMTs doing basic auscultation who don’t want to invest in a more pricey scope that’s too heavy anyway.

3M Littmann Select Stethoscope

The Select Stethoscope may be Littmann’s most affordable scope, but it will still give you reliable acoustics. Designed for basic auscultation, the Select is a high-quality alternative to second-rate nursing and sprague scopes. The lightweight design and convenient single-sided chestpiece make this scope easy to use and carry, so it’s perfect for nurses, EMTs, and entry-level users. The tunable diaphragm gives you the versatility of both bell and diaphragm mode without the bulk of a dual-head scope. The Select comes with a two year manufacturer’s warranty.

Pondering Prices

The Classic II S.E. is priced somewhat lower than the Master Classic II and the Classic II Pediatric. For an even more affordable scope go with the Lightweight II S.E. or the Select.

How important is the price tag? You have to factor in how you will be using your scope and how long you expect it to last you. If you’re an EMT and you know there’s a fair chance your stethoscope will get lost during a rescue operation, consider buying one of the cheaper models that will still give you reliable acoustics. But don’t compromise your standards just to save a few dollars if you expect to hold on to your scope for years – the superior quality of the acoustics in the high performance stethoscopes will more than justify the initial investment.

If you’re looking for something more than a traditional acoustic stethoscope, don’t miss the final installment of the 3M Littmann Stethoscope Buyer’s Guide for a discussion of Littmann’s innovative electronic scopes. Read Part 1 of the Buyer’s Guide to learn about the cardiology scopes. Share your own tips with other buyers by leaving a comment about your experience choosing a stethoscope.

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Dealmed has partnered with Brooklyn Congressman Ed Towns to donate 2,000 lbs. of materials and medical supplies to Haiti to help survivors of the massive 7.0 earthquake.  Rep. Towns initiated “Brownsville Cares,” a collaborative, community-wide relief effort to send much-needed supplies to Haiti. In addition to Dealmed’s large contribution, Brownsville residents have also donated goods, clothing, and cases of bottled water.

Our company slogan is “Understanding Healthcare” – we understand the importance of medical care and medical supplies, and we also understand the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Haitians who have no way to get the food, water, and medical attention they desperately need.   We couldn’t sit by and just read about the disaster, we had to find a way to help. Sending the shipment of medical supplies to Haiti is our way of reaching out to those in great need. We have been touched and inspired by the tremendous response of individuals who have joined us in contributing to this shipment to Haiti.

The devastation in Haiti is hard to comprehend. A natural disaster that claims the lives of 200,000 is tragedy enough. However, the poverty of this Caribbean nation makes the situation all the worse. After 9-11, the US had the resources to care for the survivors affected by the terrorist attack. We had the resources to rebuild. In Haiti, poverty was a severe struggle even before the earthquake hit. Now, in order to recover, Haiti is dependent on the international community’s aid.

The rescue effort so far has been impressive – governments, organizations, and individuals from around the globe have contributed resources to assist the desperate plight of Haiti.  However, much more assistance is still needed. Dealmed is doing our part to help out… you can also help. Email helphaiti@dealmed.com to get involved.

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You’re on the market for a new stethoscope, or perhaps, your first. You made an easy decision to go with the industry leader in quality and acoustics – you’re going for a Littmann. Now the only question is which one? With over a dozen acoustic stethoscopes to choose from, the selection can be overwhelming. We’ll help you identify which stethoscope is best for your needs and budget.

This time, we’ll compare the high-performance cardiology stethoscopes. Check back soon for a guide to the Littmann Classic II and Select models, as well as a look at the new electronic stethoscopes.

3M Littmann Cardiology III Stethoscope

The Cardiology III is probably the most popular Littmann stethoscope out there. General practitioners, pediatricians, medical students, EMTs and nurses will tell you they wouldn’t trade in their Card III for the world. Why does everyone love this stethoscope? The Cardiology III provides excellent acoustics, both in terms of loudness and clarity. What sets it apart from the other Littmann cardiology scopes, however, is its impressive versatility. It has a double head with a tunable diaphragm on each side – the large side for adults, the small side for children. The smaller diaphragm also works well for irregular surfaces, such as bony patients. The hallmark Littman tunable diaphragm allows you to hear low- and high-frequency sounds without turning the chestpiece over. Use light pressure on the chest piece to hear the low-frequency sounds (bell mode), and firm pressure to hear the high-frequency sound (diaphragm mode). The Cardiology III can also be converted to a traditional bell by replacing the pediatric diaphragm with a bell sleeve. The Cardiology III comes with a five year warranty.

Is this the right stethoscope for you? If you are ready to invest in a Littmann cardiology stethoscope, you will be rewarded by the superb acoustics of the Cardiology III. And if you are looking for a versatile stethoscope that is suited to examining any type of patient, this is your scope.

3M Littmann Cardiology STC Stethoscope

The Cardiology STC, or “Soft Touch Cardiology,” also delivers outstanding acoustics, as you would expect from any Littmann cardiology stethoscope.  In addition, the innovative chest piece is specially designed to be easy to hold in various hand positions. The unique shape of the Cardiology STC chest piece facilitates movement between auscultation sites. The single-sided, tunable diaphragm enables you to easily switch between the bell and diaphragm mode without the bulk of a double-sided scope, like the Cardiology III. EMTs and nurses appreciate that the sleek design of the Cardiology STC fits under blood pressure cuffs more easily than a dual-head stethoscope. The Cardiology STC comes with a six year warranty. If you are working primarily with adults, and looking for unparalleled acoustics and ease of use, the Cardiology STC was made for you.

3M Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope

The Master Cardiology is Littmann’s top-performing acoustic stethoscope. With superior acoustics and a 10 out of 10 Littman performance rating, this stethoscope is ideal for users who want the greatest diagnostic precision. Similar to the Cardiology STC, the Master Cardiology offers the convenience of a tunable diaphragm in a single-sided chest piece. The classy, hand crafted stainless steel   definitely makes a statement and is also easier to hold than a dual-head. A special procedures adaptor is ideal for difficult sites or pediatric use. The Master Cardiology comes with a seven year warranty - the longest Littman warranty available. The Master Cardiology may be what you’re looking for if you need the best acoustic stethoscope available for high-performance auscultation.

The difference in price between these three models is slight, so base your decision on the design and features that are most important to you. Whether you select the versatility of the Cardiology III, the ergonomic design of the Cardiology STC, or the top-of-the-line acoustics of the Master Cardiology, you can be confident that your new Littman cardiology stethoscope will serve you well for many years.

Not sure these are the right scopes for you? Check back soon for the 3M Littmann Acoustic Stethoscope Buyer’s Guide: Part 2 to learn about the Littmann Classic II and Select models.

Share your stethoscope advice below by leaving a comment. Which model do you find works best for your field?

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Everyone’s looking for ways to cut costs these days, but the FDNY has taken it a bit too far. According to the NY Daily News, Assistant Chief of EMS John McFarland recently cancelled all tune-ups on the department’s LifePak 12 defibrillators and cardiac monitors and ordered that all expired units are to be kept in service. This policy change seems to be a misguided attempt to save a little money while the FDNY looks for a new defibrillator contract. The FDNY claims that this policy does not pose a risk to anyone, but EMTs in the department are worried that relying on out of date equipment could cost a victim’s life in an emergency.

The FDNY deserves a lot of credit for all the lives they save with their rescue work. Their firefighters, EMTs and other rescue professionals are putting their lives on the line every day to protect the residents of NYC. The FDNY website has an impressive list of recent rescues (many of which involve treating victims of sudden cardiac arrest with defibrillation). The FDNY is all about saving lives. That’s why it’s so absurd for them to cancel tune-ups on this life-saving equipment. They are welcome to set up a new contract for a different brand of defibrillator/monitor, but why do they need to cancel tune-ups on the ones they are using now?

No one trusts milk that’s past its expiration date. So how does the FDNY expect us to trust their “expired” defibrillators?

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Tags: defibrillators, ems, emt, fdny, healthcare, lifepack, rescue, scam