Are the Instruments Visible?

If an instrument is sterilized it is in a sealed package, unless new and does not need to be sterilized, when you go to a DR's. office for exams, many times today they are using disposable instruments which do not have to be wrapped/bagged. These types of instruments are usually just placed on a tray for the doctor to reach and use. And another note plastic disposable speculums for vagainal and rectal exams do not have to be sterile.

And another note plastic disposable speculums for vagainal and rectal exams do not have to be sterile.

Is that true? Hardly believable that a medical facility would allow anything that isn't sterile be inserted into someones body..

From the web: https://obpmedical.com/vaginal-speculum-single-use-vs-reusable/

Patient Care – Each single-use device comes pre-sterilized, reducing the risks of cross-contamination. Metal devices have parts that can absorb toxic chemicals, putting patients at risk for chemical injury.

Is that true? Hardly believable that a medical facility would allow anything that isn't sterile be inserted into someones body..

From the web: https://obpmedical.com/vaginal-speculum-single-use-vs-reusable/

Patient Care – Each single-use device comes pre-sterilized, reducing the risks of cross-contamination. Metal devices have parts that can absorb toxic chemicals, putting patients at risk for chemical injury.

Exam gloves aren't sterile.

You have to sterilize instruments between patients.

What do you do when you go out to dinner? You know the silverware, plates and glasses are NOT sterilized between customers and the same germs are on them as people have in their skin, various body cavities and orifices. Hepatitis, herpes, Strep, MRSA, bubonic plague, you name it, it's all on the silverware, cups, plates and glassware when you are at a restaurant. . . . and how dare you subject your family and friends to all that bacteria by not sterilizing those articles at home when you have guests over.

A lot of this stuff is obviously overblown.

There is also a BIG difference between placing something into a body cavity WHICH IS NOT STERILE and insterting something into the internal milieu which IS sterile.

Let's also NOT FORGET the website you posted is in business TO SELL disposable items, so their information isn't exactly without prejudice.

There is also a BIG difference between placing something into a body cavity WHICH IS NOT STERILE and insterting something into the internal milieu which IS sterile.

You have to sterilize instruments between patients.

Let's also NOT FORGET the website you posted is in business TO SELL disposable items, so their information isn't exactly without prejudice.

Good points!

The vagina is not a sterile area so the vaginal speculum does not need to be sterile apart from being sterilized between patients of course.

As a play doctor I don't have proper sterilization equipment, that would be way too expensive. So I do use sterile packed speculums for convenience and hygiene. They are good quality medical grade in both metal and plastic, and can be binned afterwards. The price of a speculum or two in the overall cost of a play exam is a minor issue.

In one of the pics I posted from an exam she took pics at, the instruments were all out except the speculum. The speculum was plastic, in a plastic bag taken out of a drawer full of them by the assistant.