Stethoscopes are an essential piece of medical diagnostic equipment that professionals in the health care industry use every day. Therefore, it’s important to keep up with necessary maintenance and replacements to ensure your equipment performs optimally. Here’s a brief guide on how often you should replace your stethoscope.
Signs Your Stethoscope Needs Replacing
A stethoscope is one of the most commonly used tools of medical professionals throughout the health care industry. Unfortunately, because of this frequent use, stethoscopes experience a lot of wear and tear over time. There are some key signs to watch out for that signify it’s time to replace your stethoscope. For example, when you notice that the tubing of your stethoscope is hardening, it may be time to replace your piece of equipment. When the tubing hardens, it can cause tearing and cracking, making your stethoscope unusable. In order to avoid this hardening, it’s best not to wear your stethoscope around your neck because the oils in your skin can wear down the tubing material.
Replacing Your Earpieces
There may be times when you need to replace a single component of your stethoscope without having to purchase a new one. For example, your earpieces may need a replacement, but the rest of your stethoscope is still in good condition. In this particular case, you can get a replacement for your earpieces. The earpieces of a stethoscope are typically the first things to experience wear and tear because they are constantly being taken in and out of the ears. Therefore, you can change your earpieces as frequently as needed to ensure that your stethoscope is functioning at an optimal level for use.
Replacing Your Stethoscope
If you notice that your stethoscope is experiencing key signs of wear and tear and you are no longer getting the best sound quality during use, then it’s time to replace your piece of equipment with a new one. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to change out your stethoscope every two years. However, you may experience wear and tear or broken pieces before you hit the two-year mark. Pay attention to how your stethoscope is performing during use, and that will give you the most accurate idea of when to purchase a new one.
Now that you know how frequently to change your stethoscope, you can make an educated decision on when to purchase a new one. Check out American Hospital Supply for all of your diagnostic equipment needs.
This blog is intended solely for educational purposes. Any information to medical supplies and healthcare should be viewed general information and not as professional medical advice. American Hospital Supply recommends consulting your doctor regarding any medical treatments or therapies referenced. American Hospital Supply does not make representations or warranties regarding the information relating to products or medical advice referenced within this blog.
