How to maintain your stethoscope?

We are required to visit a clinic at least three to four times in a year. And since, we all have plenty of experience of visiting hospitals several times in our lives, we happen to be aware about that one medical instrument that a doctor puts on our chest for medical diagnosis. Yes, we are talking about a stethoscope here!

A stethoscope is a device which is used to gauge the functioning of lungs, pancreas, heart, and all the other major organs situated in our chest cavity. Interestingly, stethoscopes have been around in modern medicine since early 19th century and they come in various varieties these days. Just like other medicinal equipment, a stethoscope needs to be preserved and maintained with utmost intricacy but unfortunately that’s not the case in most hospitals in India.

As per the latest hospital studies, most stethoscopes used by doctors are laden with germs and bacteria that might cause more harm to the patients. Hence, even if you have got a brand-new model, it is essential to preserve it meticulously so that the safety of the patient remains intact. 

Luckily, storing a stethoscope isn’t that of a rocket science as most doctors might think. This does not require one to buy an overtly expensive box or a specialized container. Here are some essential tid-bits that doctors must adopt in order to maintain and preserve a stethoscope.

#1 Preserving doesn’t mean damaging the functioning 

Whatever procedure you are using to preserve the stethoscope, make sure it doesn’t damage the tube of the equipment as it may badly hamper its functioning. 

#2 Taking care of the Tube

Stethoscope tubes come in several varieties but the most commonly used material is polyvinyl chloride or PVC. Though, it happens to be the suitable material as it facilitates flexibility, it does come with its downsides. PVC suffers from a chemical reaction quite quickly. It does not make any harm to the human skin but has a tendency to get hard over a period of time. Hence, you should not fold it too often as it may damage its elastic state. This precautionary measure applies to the most expensive stethoscope models as well.      

#3 Regularly clean the stethoscope

Functioning of a stethoscope can not be particularly hampered by accumulation of dust and dirt but regular cleaning is essential for maintaining hygiene. Except the ear tips, every other part of stethoscope should be rinsed with an alcohol solution. For cleaning the ear tips, one should drench them in a sterilized liquid and then leave them to dry. Also, it is advised that doctors should not exchange or share stethoscopes as it is not very hygienic. When best stethoscope for medical students in India are provided, they are specifically given the advice to not share their stethoscope.

#4 Fixing various parts of a stethoscope

If your stethoscope is damaged due to some reason, you need not to replace it with a new one. It is possible to fix the damaged part or missing component and get the device fixed. Also, it is suggested that one should buy a stethoscope from a trusted brand such as Smart Medical Buyers because you may get replacements for a damaged or misplaced part with ease online. Cheap copies do not come with any warrantee and one usually ends up buying new equipment instead of fixing the old one.   

As far as cleaning a stethoscope is concerned, that can be done via following methods:

Antibacterial wipes or soap: They are readily available in the market and perfect for occasions when the doctor is in a hurry (which is the case, most of the times). One has to simply clean the entire stethoscope with a wet-wipe and then they can carry on with their work.

Ethanol: It is a foam like solution which is used in hospitals to clean hands. It can be used to clean medical instruments as well, including the stethoscope. 

Isopropyl alcohol: This is a widely known disinfectant in the medicinal industry. Luckily, it is available in several forms such as wipes, alcohol pads, and solution. If you are using a solution, it is advised not to pour directly on the device. Instead, use a clean cloth or a cotton ball, dip it in a solution and then clean the instrument. Leave it free for sometime in open to dry.   

In order to keep your medicinal accessory working in the long run, preserving and maintaining it is very important. Also, it is important that you rely on trusted brands when making such buying decisions. To buy the best stethoscopes, BP machine, bandages, and sutures in India, you can rely on Smart Medical Buyers to get the best products.