The flu infects up to 8% of the United States population each year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One of the best ways to prevent the spread of the flu, and other infectious diseases, is to practice the most sanitary forms of medical supervision. Wireless stethoscopes allow for patient regular oversight, with less movement of risky microbes.
How do wireless stethoscopes prevent spread?
Now medical professionals can take action against the spread of the flu by investing in quality tools like low-contact wireless stethoscopes. Wireless stethoscopes assist in protecting healthcare providers from infectious pathogens.
Eko stethoscopes in particular can be covered with a glove, stethoscope sleeve, or ultrasound probe cover for sanitary purposes. Then, doctors and nurses can simply replace the protective covering between patients to reduce risk of spread.
Furthermore, since the Eko wireless stethoscope can be paired with the Eko App on a mobile device that easily communicates sounds via Bluetooth, it allows for social distancing during auscultation. In the case of the Eko CORE Digital Stethoscope, Bluetooth connection generally reaches from 6 to 25 feet. However, the best way to ensure the most accurate readings is to supervise the connection, by making sure there are no obstructions between the clinician and the patient.
The Eko App informs the clinician through warning signs, like “weak Bluetooth signal” or a crackling sound. Make corrections that maintain social distancing protocol, by simply inching a couple of feet closer, or adjusting the internet connection if the visual or sound quality becomes weak.
Finding the right wireless stethoscope
If you’re interested in enhancing your experience with your existing stethoscope, the Eko CORE Digital Attachment can turn any stethoscope into a wireless one. By pairing it with the Eko app, clinicians can visualize, share and listen to quality auscultations, as if they were listening directly from stethoscope earpieces.
It is suggested that you pair wireless earbuds to your phone so that you can listen to auscultations effectively. Additionally, with this technology, clinicians can simply place the chestpiece on a patient and the sound will travel through the app to the headphones. Clinicians can readily enjoy the precision and less hands-on approach that wireless stethoscopes provide when listening to auscultations.
There are even innovative stethoscopes that are small enough to carry in your pocket, like the Eko DUO ECG and Digital Stethoscope. Featuring a wireless chest piece, this super portable and extremely compact stethoscope is designed for patients to be able to operate themselves at home during telemedicine visits, so that the provider can stream and analyze the audio data remotely.
How do wireless stethoscopes work?
According to Eko Health, installation instructions for these proprietary wireless stethoscopes are easy and hassle-free:
- Begin by opening the Eko App and pairing it to your Eko stethoscope through Bluetooth. Both the DUO and CORE can communicate sounds without the earpiece and tubing.
- You can then connect a smart device like a smartphone, tablet, or computer to your headphones.
- Once everything is synced, open the menu in the Eko App and find the App Settings menu. Here you’ll see a “Play for Headphones” button. By clicking on this, you’ll be able to hear the auscultations from the stethoscope directly on your device through headphones.
- Further germ-proof your stethoscope by covering its pieces with an ultrasound probe cover, glove or stethoscope sleeve and perform wireless auscultation. This can be successfully done without impacting the quality of sound.
If you do notice any decrease in the acoustics, make sure the volume is turned up to the highest setting, the headphones are snugly fit in your ears, and that you are within the 6 to 25 foot Bluetooth range. Enable the active noise cancellation feature for CORE only if your surroundings are impacting your ability to hear from afar. Lastly, bring wireless auscultation to your life and workflow to make sure your set up is reliable, by testing it with family and friends.
Reducing risk during flu season
Due to the fact that the wireless stethoscope doesn’t require any type of cable, it’s possible to get the patient’s health data without close contact. Each set of data will be received by the professionals directly via a mobile device.
Sometimes infections can be spread by chest pieces that are not thoroughly cleaned. Luckily, the chest pieces of many wireless stethoscopes are also interchangeable, reducing the contact with germs that may have come into contact with other patients infected with the flu.
The only major disadvantage to the wireless stethoscope is if you’re working in a medical practice that does not have mobile devices or reliable wi-fi. If you’re a traveling doctor or nurse on the go, where a connection is not dependable, a traditional stethoscope may be a great backup just in case.