Evidence-Based Proposal and Annotated Bibliography on Technology in Nursing
Smart Stethoscopes: Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality of Care Through Digital Auscultation
Ashley Singer
Capella University
NURS-FPX4045: Nursing Informatics: Managing Health Information and Technology
June 29, 2026
, Technology in Healthcare
I selected the smart stethoscope technology as the focus on this paper because it is a
device, I use in my daily nursing practice. I currently use the Eko CORE 500 digital stethoscope,
which has allowed me to experience firsthand how technology can enhance patient assessments
and support clinical decision making. Unlike traditional stethoscopes that rely solely on the
clinicians hearing and interpretation, smart stethoscopes use digital amplification, advanced
sensors, and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze heart and lung sounds in real time. These
features can help clinicians detect subtle abnormalities that may indicate conditions such as heart
murmur’s, arrhythmias, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
supporting earlier diagnosis and timely intervention. To explore the evidence supporting this
technology, I searched the Capella University Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar using search
terms including “smart stethoscope,” “digital auscultation,” “artificial intelligence,” “patient
safety,” and “Eko CORE 500.” The research demonstrates that smart stethoscopes have the
potential to improve assessment accuracy, enhance communication among healthcare providers,
and support high-quality, patient centered care in both traditional and remote healthcare settings.
Research Process
To locate relevant evidence, I searched the Capella University Library, PubMed, and
Google Scholar for recent peer-reviewed articles related to smart stethoscope technology. Search
terms included “smart stethoscope,” “digital auscultation,” “artificial intelligence,” “patient
safety,” and “Eko CORE 500.” I prioritized articles published within the last five years that
examined the use of smart stethoscopes in clinical practice, with an emphasis on patient safety,
quality of care, nursing practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Preference was given to
Smart Stethoscopes: Enhancing Patient Safety and Quality of Care Through Digital Auscultation
Ashley Singer
Capella University
NURS-FPX4045: Nursing Informatics: Managing Health Information and Technology
June 29, 2026
, Technology in Healthcare
I selected the smart stethoscope technology as the focus on this paper because it is a
device, I use in my daily nursing practice. I currently use the Eko CORE 500 digital stethoscope,
which has allowed me to experience firsthand how technology can enhance patient assessments
and support clinical decision making. Unlike traditional stethoscopes that rely solely on the
clinicians hearing and interpretation, smart stethoscopes use digital amplification, advanced
sensors, and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze heart and lung sounds in real time. These
features can help clinicians detect subtle abnormalities that may indicate conditions such as heart
murmur’s, arrhythmias, pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
supporting earlier diagnosis and timely intervention. To explore the evidence supporting this
technology, I searched the Capella University Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar using search
terms including “smart stethoscope,” “digital auscultation,” “artificial intelligence,” “patient
safety,” and “Eko CORE 500.” The research demonstrates that smart stethoscopes have the
potential to improve assessment accuracy, enhance communication among healthcare providers,
and support high-quality, patient centered care in both traditional and remote healthcare settings.
Research Process
To locate relevant evidence, I searched the Capella University Library, PubMed, and
Google Scholar for recent peer-reviewed articles related to smart stethoscope technology. Search
terms included “smart stethoscope,” “digital auscultation,” “artificial intelligence,” “patient
safety,” and “Eko CORE 500.” I prioritized articles published within the last five years that
examined the use of smart stethoscopes in clinical practice, with an emphasis on patient safety,
quality of care, nursing practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Preference was given to
