Smear Test - should the speculum be sterile?

spendingmad

Hi All

Sorry if all this is too much info - but just want some advise.

I had my first smear test and all went fine however when the nurse was getting her 'kit' together she took out the metal speculum (the bit which is used to 'hold you open!) out of what looked like my cutlery drawer! she then warmed it up abit with some warm water.

She told me she had another three to do this mine. Should the speculum not be sterile and packed as such?

Glad I was the first one and not number 4 in the afternoon :eek:

Please reassure me this is standard practice and nothing to worry about!

hieveryone

If it's metal I assume it's cleaned in sterilising fluid/alcohol etc.

hermanmunster_3

some are disposable - some are sterile and packed.

the ones which are sterile and packed are either packed individually or in a set which is wrapped up.

trust me - nw one used for each person :rolleyes:

Usually warmed up with warm tap water (no different from being in a bath after all...) - much nicer warmed.....

Glamazon

spendingmad wrote: »

Hi All

Sorry if all this is too much info - but just want some advise.

I had my first smear test and all went fine however when the nurse was getting her 'kit' together she took out the metal speculum (the bit which is used to 'hold you open!) out of what looked like my cutlery drawer! she then warmed it up abit with some warm water.

She told me she had another three to do this mine. Should the speculum not be sterile and packed as such?

Glad I was the first one and not number 4 in the afternoon :eek:

Please reassure me this is standard practice and nothing to worry about!

Putting work hat back on (i manage a surgery)

God, I didn't even think surgeries still used reuseables :eek:. We have used disposables for years. Part of the GP Contract states surgeries have to provide a protocol outlining how they sterilise equipment if they dot use disposables but popping it in warm water is not sterlising it. I would ask to speak to the manager & confirm they have a policy & follow it cos from what you've said it wasn't sterilised if she took it out of a drawer _pale_

Not only r u all at risk of infection but your results could show something thats not actually yours (i.e swabbed off the speculum rather than u)

sorry if this worries u but u did ask

spendingmad

Thanks - I did think there would be a sensible answer - it was just puzzling me - she didn't look like she used alcohol cleaning fluid etc and understood that water would do me no harm. Come to think of it she did put something that I thought was KY jelly or similar on there, that may of been the cleanser?

Thanks for your help

Edit - Glamazon - we cross posted you're worried me again, It was definately not wrapped - I have worked in hospitals (admin) so not completely unaware of procedures etc which was what prompted the question. I will have a word with the practice manager just to be sure.

Glamazon

spendingmad wrote: »

Thanks - I did think there would be a sensible answer - it was just puzzling me - she didn't look like she used alcohol cleaning fluid etc and understood that water would do me no harm. Come to think of it she did put something that I thought was KY jelly or similar on there, that may of been the cleanser?

Thanks for your help

Edit - Glamazon - we cross posted you're worried me again, It was definately not wrapped - I have worked in hospitals (admin) so not completely unaware of procedures etc which was what prompted the question. I will have a word with the practice manager just to be sure.

Sorry

KY Jelly would have been to lube it up a bit so it went in better. I've worked in general practice for over 6 years and would say that for the last 5 years we've used disposables which come sealed and sterile. My nurse friend is in USA so I cant text her to ask her if what you said is OK.

Just looking for some guidelines for you - the need for the policy was removed from the contract in 2008/2009 as all practices should be adhering to it

Management indicator 4 Removed for 2008/2009
[STRIKE][STRIKE]The arrangements for instrument sterilisation comply with national guidelines as applicable to primary care [/STRIKE][/STRIKE]

For surgeries doing minor surgery they have to do everything in this link so really they should be doing it for a smear as well.

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Infection-control-and-instrument-sterility-for-GP-minor-surgery.htm#

check out the sterilising bit - you need to make sure the practice is sterilising according to national guidelines. I can't find what the national guidelines are but I would ask the practice manager to outline the process they follow first and then ask him/her to confirm that this follows national guidelines and then ask for evidence of their policy and the national guidelines. You can then check and take action accordingly.

Sorry to worry you but you did ask - why do these things happen on a Friday? :rolleyes:

Glamazon

hermanmunster wrote: »

some are disposable - some are sterile and packed.

the ones which are sterile and packed are either packed individually or in a set which is wrapped up.

trust me - nw one used for each person :rolleyes:

Usually warmed up with warm tap water (no different from being in a bath after all...) - much nicer warmed.....

what the OP has described is not disposable & there is no way a surgery would buy metal speculums and then dispose of them afterwards - way too expensive.

You would be very surprised at the practices used in some small single handed GP surgeries who aren't 'with the times' - I've seen some things that don't bear thinking about (shudders)

richardw

Are your knives and forks sterile or just washed?
When won't just washed do?

tandraig

richardw - we dont use knifes and forks inside our private parts! unless you do. anything a surgery uses which goes inside us should be sterile!!!
hun - if it was stainless steel - which my surgery uses it should have been in a wrapper which states its been sterilised. who knows what infection it may have been in contact with.
btw I dont think the hand sterilising gel is suitable for stainless steel. I believe that needs boiling or steam sterilising.
not a nurse - but have hung around hospitals quite a lot in last 25 years! due to asthmatic son - not munchausens syndrome!

Glamazon

richardw wrote: »

Are your knives and forks sterile or just washed?
When won't just washed do?

when it is being put into your foof and is being tested for something.

Things are supposed to be sterile to ensure all the bugs are gone - would you want something put down your winky that had been down other men's winkies and just 'washed'.

How do you know how well it has been washed? Was the water hot enough to get rid of all the bugs?

Also, my knives and forks aren't being put in random people's mouths

Disney_Pluto

Im a student nurse as in a couple of practices ive been to and in the GU clinic ive done shifts in they have used the metal ones as well at the disposable ones. The metal ones are no less clean than the throw away ones and in no circumstances will they be used on 4 people in a row without being cleaned properly.

I know they are changing to the throw away ones because there cheaper than having to send the equipment away to get cleaned all the time.

I really wouldnt worry this seems fairly normal to me but if your really concerned I would back to the GP's and ask about it.

Hope this helps.