A speculum is a medical tool used by a doctor or other medical practitioner to investigate body cavities in a clinic or hospital. Speculums come in a few different designs, including anal speculums and vaginal speculums. They are a vital aid when a doctor needs to see inside the body cavity, take samples for test or perform other procedures.

You can purchase speculums made from plastic or metal. Generally, metal speculums are reusable after sterilization, while plastic ones are disposable. Deciding which kind to buy for your facility may depend on the preference of the medical professionals there. Surgeons generally only use metal speculums for surgical use.

1. Consider the benefits of stainless steel speculums, which you can sterilize and reuse.

2. Shop for disposable plastic speculums, which can save time in your health care facility.

3. Choose speculums with an optional light source to make examinations easier.

Action Steps
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Consider the benefits of stainless steel speculums

Some doctors prefer stainless steel speculums because they can sterilize the instruments and reuse them. If this applies to practitioners in your health care facility, then this product may be the best choice for you. Remember that for your patent's comfort, you may choose to purchase equipment to warm the instrument before use.

I recommend: Shop with Claflin Equipment for medical speculums made of metal. They carry three different grades, one of which is sure to meet the needs of your facility. You can also purchase stainless steel vaginal speculums from MedExSupply Medical Services.

Purchase convenient disposable plastic speculums because of their benefits

Some practitioners prefer to use a disposable plastic speculum on patients because there is a zero percent risk of cross contamination, as can occur (rarely) with steel speculums. In addition, plastic speculums are often more comfortable for the patient and the practitioner doesn't need to warm them before use.

I recommend: Purchase individually packaged plastic speculums that are pre-lubricated from Jansen Medical Supply. You can also purchase disposable plastic speculums from USA Medical Supplies.

Choose disposable speculums with an optional light source

Speculums with a light source make examinations more accurate and easier for the doctor. Speculums usually work with one or more types of illumination systems.

I recommend: Pulmonary Lab Group offers disposable speculums that have a light source option. These vaginal speculums are compatible with the Welch Allen illumination system. Compare their prices with those offered by Miami Medical, which carries some of the same speculum products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember to keep plenty of speculums in various sizes to fit all patients. You can purchase different sized speculums from small speculums for teenage and geriatric patients to large speculums for obese patients. Using a speculum that best matches the patient's size increases their comfort level.