Auscultation is usually conducted using a stethoscope. Where this is not possible, a graphic auscultation system can be used in conjunction with a stethoscope and provides a graphic display visualising the internal sounds of the body.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
For people with a hearing impairment the use of a graphic auscultation system can enable them to conduct physical examinations of their patients independently and more accurately.
There are two types of graphic auscultation systems:
- systems that connect to a personal computer and record data directly from the stethoscope onto the computer for analysing
- portable handheld devices that look similar to a stethoscope but also contain a compact visual display.
(3M Australia 2008; HD Medical Group 2006; Biomedex Health Care Technology 2005)
Relevant Links:
References:
3M Australia 2008, Littman Stethoscopes: Sound analysis software, 3M Australia, Sydney, viewed 26 March 2008, <http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_AU/Littmann/stethoscope/electronic-auscultation/software/>.
Biomedex Health Care Technology, Electronic Stethoscope: Jabes, Biomedex Australia Pty. Ltd., Wollongong, viewed 26 March 2008, <http://www.biomedex.com.au/pcare/steth.html>.
HD Medical Group 2006, ViScope: The effective audio-visual tool for effective cardiac triage, HD Medical Group Ltd., Melbourne, viewed 26 March 2008, <http://www.hdmedicalgroup.com/ViScope_M100.pdf>.