It might not be the first thing that jumps to your mind, but it’s important to keep your stethoscope clean. Stethoscopes have different parts that need to be maintained to keep a high acoustic quality. Dirt and debris can crack the tubing and clog the ear tips. It’s important to keep your stethoscope clean to maintain a high level of quality.
If you have a stethoscope with a two-sided chest piece that rotates, it’s important to keep the moving parts lubricated. You can use specialized stethoscope lubricating oil to help keep your stethoscope in top shape. You can also use a q-tip and rubbing alcohol to clear out the moving pieces.
When cleaning your stethoscope, disable all the moving parts. Take the ear tips out and remove the rim from the diaphragm. Cleaning these areas will help prevent any clogs or disfunction.
Another thing to keep in mind about cleaning your stethoscope is to do it on a daily basis. You don’t want your stethoscope bringing infectious germs from the hospital into your home. A quick wipedown with antimicrobial spray is a good habit to develop.
In-depth cleanings should take place once a week or once every two weeks. It’s important to take all the moveable parts and give them a good clean. Here are some tips to keep in mind when cleaning your stethoscope.
• Keep your stethoscope away from extreme temperatures to avoid damaging it
• Never completely submerge your stethoscope to clean it. Using a damp cloth is ideal
• Your stethoscope tubing will become brittle and hard over time, try and use specialized oil to keep it in top shape
• Remove the ear tips and do a mini clean at least once a week
• Use a long item to reach into the ear tips to clean debris
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