Eko: Digital Stethoscope + ECG

I never write reviews, but this stethoscope blew me away and I decided to take the time to give my honest opinion. I got the purple one and the color is amazing. When I first unboxed it and used it, there was a learning curve, the placement is slightly different (I used the core prior to upgrading to the eko) and it’s a lot lighter than the core so that took some getting used to. When I’m in the ED, it’s a little cumbersome, but I detach the chest piece and pop in my earbuds (I use Bose ultra open, I hear everything around me and can still listen to the stethoscope) and use the chest piece independently. No dirty scope around the neck! Quality is amazing, it’s Littmann. AI detection of murmurs and abnormal rhythm is getting better everyday, it’s already really good, but a trained ear is needed to verify. Overall, this stethoscope has significantly improved my cardiac and pulmonary assessments. I would recommend this product for anyone that needs amazing cardiac and pulmonary assessments! They did a great job with this one & the battery lasts forever.

Was unaware my $400+ Littmann Core requires me to pay an additional $100+ a year in order to access key features like AFIB and murmur detection. Additionally, it can’t seem to detect a correct heart rate on a recording. It also refuses to play back the recording on your phones speaker, you can’t hear it without headphones. Additionally, I have trouble hearing on patients. I can hear on myself okay. But on patients? It’s like it doesn’t even work. I thought I was going crazy because I couldn’t hear anything. Mine is engraved so I can’t return it. Bummer kinda. I was so excited, and initially thought it worked well until I used it in the hospital. Maybe I need to get the hang of it or something, but the extra “subscription fee” is almost enough for me. It’s sad because I really wanted the Eko Core 500 in the future, but with companies putting everything you physically purchase behind a paywall (think, the push-to-start button on your car or heated seats both of which came with the car you paid multiple grand for, all because it’s digital and remote) I have immense reservations. There is no way to guarantee they won’t nuke the functionality of the product I purchase (and based on reviews it seems they already did). I used to want everything to go digital. Now I’m unsure. Sad.

I purchased Eko device during the hight of pandemic because I needed a compact stethoscope device that reduced clutters that I had to carry while seeing patients in ER. This device fit the need. Compact in size, easy to protect by covering it w a glove, easy to disinfect, quick to use and put away in a pocket. Able to hear despite negative pressure pump in patient’s room. It is inconvenient and have to adjust to having a earbud in my hear while talking to the patient. However, I was safely and conveniently auscultate patients including COVID PUI with asthma/CHF,etc. Had a major set back with bluetooth connection for about 6 wks that was very frustrating & trying to resolve it by email was futile. I was appreciate of the support team who arranged for a zoom mtg. The issue is resolved now. The device connects seamlessly. It does drain phone battery and this is something I’ll have to collect more detailed data to give feedback. I find it necessary to carry my Litmann stethoscope tube with me in case of any malfunction w Eko. I prefer Littmann chest piece with the Eko attachment. Support team has been responsive. Emily has been very responsive, accommodating and instrumental in my continued use of the Eko attachment device. In a busy, loud ER in this unpredictable pandemic period, this device is innovated and has the edge.