The efficacy of stethoscope placement when not in use: traditional versus "cool".
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the "cool" or circumcervical placement of the stethoscope when not in use is as efficacious as the traditional placement in terms of transfer time to the functional position.


METHODS
Measurement of time taken by 100 health care professionals in each group to transfer stethoscope to functional position.


CONCLUSIONS
The cool group was much slower than the traditional group, despite their younger years. This wasted time could translate into a substantial financial burden on Canada's health care system.
Hanley
W B
WB
whanley@sickkids.on.ca
Hanley
A J
AJ
D006801:Humans; D019023:Stethoscopes; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic