The heart rate display is intermittent?
• When trying to obtain the heart rate of a patient, it is important that the very center of the chestpiece is making good contact with the patient, as this is the location of the sound sensor. It takes five seconds of consistent heart sounds to compute the initial heart rate and updates are provided every two seconds. The heart rate will then be displayed for 10 seconds after removal of the chestpiece from the patient. Prior to the initial reading, the display shows two dashes (–). For heart rates outside a range of 30-199 bpm, the display will also show two dashes (–). The acoustic-based heart rate display functions best when the Littmann Model 3100 is placed near the apex of the patient’s heart and can be monitored while using any filter mode and/or volume level. If the heart rate changes from consistent to inconsistent or if there is excessive ambient noise, patient movement or lung sounds during auscultation, the heart rate will display two dashes (–). With practice, your abili
