Sustainable practice: Switching to reusable vaginal speculums

What you need to knowThree and a half million speculum examinations occur in the UK every year for cervical screening alone—mostly using single use plastic speculumsFollowing the first few uses, using a stainless steel speculum is associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions than a single use plastic one.The first step towards making change is to speak to colleagues and patients—both should be engaged at all stages of changeSwitching from single use to reusable vaginal speculums could improve the sustainability of healthcare delivery by reducing waste streams and greenhouse gas emissions. This article explores these potential benefits and offers pointers for how to go about making the switch to reusable speculums.Why change is neededUsing reusable medical devices is one way to improve the sustainability of healthcare delivery, and the healthcare sector needs to consider opportunities to switch to reusable items when this will reduce net emissions and is safe and acceptable…
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