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?

As one of the leading causes of death in the United States, SCA (Sudden Cardiac Arrest) claims more than 310,000 lives every year . The tragedy is that most of these deaths are preventable. Many victims of SCA would survive if they received CPR and defibrillation within minutes of the event. AEDs are devices that can measure the victim’s heart rhythm and recognize when a shock needs to be administered. Easy-to-use AEDs guide the rescuer through the steps needed to save the victim’s life. The public has begun to recognize the vital importance of AEDs, leading to AED placement in some public areas.

Sure, you’re thinking, I’m all for AEDs in airports. But it’s not enough to have AEDs in convention centers and malls. In order to prevent as many SCA-related deaths as possible, AEDs need to be available in all places where there is an increased risk of a person suffering an SCA, and that includes your office.

Patients with underlying medical conditions face a greater risk of SCA, and some of those patients may be coming to see you for acute or routine medical treatment.  Without an AED available in the office, the paramedics might not arrive in time to save the victim’s life. With an AED right in your office, you will be prepared for an emergency rescue if disaster strikes.

But placing AEDs in doctors’ offices is more than just a smart idea. It’s also becoming standard of care. With the American Heart Association now supporting AED placement in all doctor’s offices, you could be vulnerable to litigation charging you with negligence for failure to have an AED available. Lawsuits have already been filed against airlines, theme parks, and health clubs for failing to have AEDs on hand.

The Zoll AED Plus Professional Package is the answer if you are looking for the ideal AED for your practice. The Zoll AED not only delivers shocks, it also coaches the rescuer, step-by-step, on how to use the AED and perform proper CPR using voice prompts, text, and pictures.  The Zoll AED actually monitors the rate and depth of the compressions you administer to the victim in real time and responds by announcing “good compressions” or “push harder!” as needed. The electrode pad and the inexpensive lithium batteries all last for five years in stand-by mode, so you won’t have to worry about frequent maintenance to keep your AED ready for emergencies.

Display your AED in the waiting room and your patients will understand that you are truly committed to their health and safety. With AED prices at an all time low, now is the perfect time to buy a life-saving AED for your practice.

A CPR mask is not for the patient. It doesn’t make CPR more or less effective than straight mouth-to-mouth.It’s for you, the rescuer, to protect yourself.

The Ambu Res-Cue Mask comes with an optional hard case to keep the CPR mask clean and protected so it’s ready to use. The case is red so it can be spotted easily. The CPR mask can be cleaned and reused. The complete kit comes with everything you need to keep the mask sterile.

In an emergency situation the patient may be vomiting or have blood on their face which may facilitate the spreading of disease. The CPR mask prevents direct contact with another person’s mouth, nose and face, keeping you safe.

The Ambu Res-Cue Mask is one of our most popular masks.

The complete kit comes with:

• Oxygen inlet
• Head strap
• Mask
• One-way valve/filter
• Gloves
• Alcohol prep pad/wipe

Attempting to do CPR on soft surfaces such as sand or a mattress, can be very challenging. The soft surface beneath the patient often absorbs the compressions instead of the patient. This is why a CPR board (a.k.a. cardiac board) is necessary.

CPR boards can be used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to provide a flat and firm surface beneath a person. It provides stability when performing chest compressions to pump the blood through their circulatory system.

Keeping an airway open is also obviously essential in resuscitation, but is unfortunately one of the many struggles rescuers have to deal with. However, the Dealmed CPR board includes a head cup that maintains proper alignment of a patient’s head. This ensures proper position of a person to maintain a constant open airway.

The Dealmed CPR board is brightly colored orange making the board easy to spot and grab in an emergency. It’s light weight and the sides make lifting a patient easier.

Some of the many places CPR Boards should be readily available are:

• Life Guard stations
• Rescue units
• Ski Hills
• Pools
• ER’s & Urgent Cares
• Clinics, Physicians Offices & Other Care Centers
• Sporting events
• Etc.

Learn more or purchase the Dealmed CPR Board

VS.

Midmark Ritter 204

Brewer Basic

Many healthcare professionals have asked us this question. The truth is, there is no simple answer. Midmark and Brewer both make excellent exam tables, yet some key factors do differentiate both companies. It all boils down to your needs and preferences.

Let's focus on some of the features of the basic manual exam tables. The warranty for the Midmark Ritter 204 lasts for 1 year, while the Brewer Basic exam table comes with a 3-Year warranty. Brewer also offers eighteen different color options and customized colors upon request, while Midmark only offers eight colors.

When it comes to patient safety and comfort, the Midmark Ritter 204 has a weight capacity of 500 lbs. while the Brewer Basic has a weight capacity of 325 lbs.. Both basic exam tables come standard with a step surface and an extended legrest.

The Ritter 204 has 3 pass-through side drawers, while the Brewer Basic only has 2. The Midmark Ritter 204 also comes with an electrical receptical. Both come standard with a pneumatic backrest & debris tray. Both also have an option for pelvic tilt and drawer warmer.

We would be very interested to hear your opinion. Feel free to post your comments.