Diagnostic Accuracy of a Wireless Stethoscope for Cardiac and Pulmonary Auscultation in Critically Ill Patients

Auscultation is essential for assessing cardiac and pulmonary function, yet the use of conventional stethoscopes in intensive care units is often hindered by environmental noise and the need for close contact, which increases infection risk. Wireless stethoscopes offer digital sound transmission, enhancing clarity and enabling remote assessment; however, their diagnostic reliability must be clinically validated. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a domestically developed wireless stethoscope created by the Center for Biomechanics, Biomaterials, Biomechatronics, and Biosignal Processing (CBIOM3S) at Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia. A comparative diagnostic design was employed, involving 120 critically ill patients hospitalized for more than 24 hours in the ICU, HCU, and Stroke Unit of a private hospital in Palembang between August and September 2022. Adults aged 18 years and older were included in the study, while patients with chest deformities or hemodynamic instability were excluded. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis. The wireless stethoscope demonstrated a sensitivity of 87.50% and specificity of 88.75% for cardiac auscultation, and a sensitivity of 90.66% and specificity of 77.77% for lung auscultation. These findings demonstrate strong diagnostic performance and support the potential clinical utility of this approach in critical care settings.