ClearSpec signs new GPO agreements
ClearSpec is pleased to announce that it has signed agreements with MediGroup, Healthcare Procurement Solutions and Yankee Alliance, and has been recognized by each as a high value supplier of an innovative vaginal speculum.
About MediGroup: Based in the heart of St. Charles, Missouri, MediGroup is the single largest non-acute care group purchasing organization (GPO) in the U.S. MediGroup works alongside its sizable roster of members – which includes surgical clinics, non-acute care facilities and physician offices nationwide – and helps them cut annual costs by connecting them with only the very best services and products. MediGroup specifically identifies those products or services that can maximize a member’s profitability and efficiency. This allows physicians to better engage patients with the proper care and consideration they deserve.
About Healthcare Procurement Solutions: Healthcare Procurement Solutions, LLC (“HPS”) is a Group Purchasing Organization (“GPO”) created specifically to serve physicians, their private medical practices, and related businesses – including surgery centers, endoscopy centers, and imaging centers. In 2011 HPS expanded its programs and service offerings to include hospitals, assisted living, extended care and substance abuse facilities. Developed by seasoned healthcare consultants and purchasing professionals, HPS helps its members reduce costs by leveraging the combined purchasing power of thousands of member physicians.
About Yankee Alliance: Founded by not-for-profit hospitals in 1984 Yankee Alliance has grown to a member-driven organization of more than 15,039 healthcare providers across the country. “True to our not-for-profit roots, our members guide us in our growth as the healthcare environment shifts to value based purchasing. In today’s healthcare marketplace our members’ needs are clear and our services are modeled to support them. Expense reduction, savings identification and savings implementation – this is our focus for our members”.
Childbirth and a Prolapsed Uterus: Early Intervention and Treatment
Anatomy and Diagnosis of Uterine Prolapse
Although more common in postmenopausal women, uterine prolapse may occur at any age. In most cases, uterine prolapse occurs in women who have had multiple vaginal deliveries. Furthermore, the condition may be the result of trauma to the pelvic muscles, the additional pull of gravity on muscular and connective tissues, reduced estrogen levels, and additional straining of the pelvic muscles.
When the pelvic tissues become unable to support the weight of pelvic organs, especially the uterus, the uterus will slip through the muscular sling of connective tissue. Unfortunately, the severity of uterine prolapse varies from woman to woman. In mild cases, symptoms may be absent. However, moderate to severe cases, reports MedlinePlus, may result in the following symptoms:
- Sensation of pulling in the pelvis.
- Abnormal tissue in the vagina or protruding from the vagina.
- Problems maintaining urinary retention.
- Pain in the lower abdomen or back.
- Pain during urination.
- Constipation or difficulty having a bowel movement.
- Urinary urgency without other medical explanation.
- Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse.
- Gradual worsening of discomfort from morning to evening.
These symptoms lack clarity when compared to other potent women’s health problems. As a result, it’s important for women to obtain a thorough, accurate women’s health examination. Since vaginal tissue may obscure the uterine tissues, excessive lateral wall tissue will need to be addressed with a vaginal wall retractor. This allows the obstetrician to gain an unobstructed view of the cervix. Furthermore, an LED vaginal illuminator may be used to ensure fibroids are not present out the visible part of a prolapsed uterus.
Risk Factors For Uterine Prolapse
In addition to multiple, vaginal births, certain women may be at a greater risk for uterine prolapse. Some of these risk factors include the following:
- Giving birth to a large baby.
- Increasing age, especially after reaching menopause.
- Frequent lifting of heavy objects.
- Chronic coughing.
- Previous surgery in the pelvic region.
- Genetic predispositions to uterine prolapse.
- Hispanic and white women.
- Morbid obesity.
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
Treatment of Uterine Prolapse
Depending on the severity of uterine prolapse, treatment may vary from no treatment to surgery. Some common treatments include the following:
- Medications – Estrogen medication treatment may prevent the weakening of muscles in the pelvic floor.
- Physical therapy – Physical therapy or Kegel Exercises, as defined by the American Urogynecologic Society, to increase the muscle tone of pelvic connective tissue.
- Pessaries – These silicone devices are non-surgically inserted into the vagina daily to help prevent further descent of the uterus and internal organs.
- Surgery – Surgical options vary and depend on the overall health and type of uterine prolapse.
A Caveat to Surgical Repairs
After a comprehensive examination with a vaginal wall retractor, women should be thoroughly informed of their surgical options. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released extensive warnings on the use of certain surgical materials, such as vaginal mesh, which may pose serious complications. As a result, women must take great care in researching and understanding how treatment for uterine prolapse will affect their bodies.
Preventing uterine prolapse follows a pattern similar to the importance of routine examinations to prevent cervical cancer. By receiving a diagnosis and undergoing treatment for uterine prolapse early, women can attempt to evade progression of severity to the point of surgery.
For more information about ClearSpec Single Use Vaginal Speculum, please call (561) 395-7767 or email us at sales@clearspecmedical.com.
Show Respect For Patients and Staff Through Punctual Appointment Times
including average wait times. Some of the changes to help achieve more punctual appointment times can take time to implement, but others, such as the replacement of traditional vaginal speculums with a disposable speculum with sheath designed to support excessive lateral wall tissue and minimize the amount of repositioning required, can immediately improve the efficiency of your practice by reducing exam times with no compromise to your patients.
Delegate Tasks to Administrative Professionals
Waiting for time with the doctor is the most common reason for tardy appointment times. In addition to reducing the time spent on each vaginal exam (while simultaneously improving the quality of care) with a sheathed disposable speculum, delegating more administrative tasks to other trained staff members can significantly reduce patient waiting. History and details regarding prescriptions and medical tests can often be relayed to or through a nurse before each client meets with their doctor, and some medical professionals are discovering that their own notes can be verbally dictated to an assistant during the most critical moments of doctor/patient interaction, further freeing up the doctor’s time.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Modern technology offers many opportunities to streamline your medical practice. Implementing any or all of the following is likely to improve patient and staff satisfaction:
- Secure instant messaging reduces time spent playing “telephone tag” and can provide patients an extremely efficient direct line of communication with their medical provider.
- Online forms can be accessed and filled out by patients before their visit to minimize time spent at the clinic.
- Using a “Mobile Queue” app updates your patients moment by moment while allowing them to utilize their wait time freely in a nearby coffee shop, retail store, or other location of their choice.
- Telehealth software facilitates care for minor issues without the need for a visit to the medical office.
- Free wifi provided in your reception area reduces client frustration during wait times.
Although not all of your clients will be comfortable using technology to assist in their medical care, the majority are likely to utilize one or more of the above opportunities to better manage their own time. As a professional, using a LED vaginal illumination system with an advanced speculum design is one aspect of technology that can be implemented with all clients requiring a vaginal and/or cervical exam.
Upgrade to a Disposable Speculum With Sheath
One of the simplest improvements in efficiency you can make within your practice is to replace traditional vaginal speculums with the use a disposable speculum with sheath for each patient. The sheath is designed to support excessive lateral wall tissue commonly seen in obese or muliparous women, and reduces exam times by minimizing the need for repositioning of the speculum for clear cervical visualization and/or biopsy procedures. Available in three sizes, the ClearSpec disposable speculum with a built in light source is a great tool to facilitate punctual appointment times.
For more information about ClearSpec Single Use Vaginal Speculum, please call (561) 395-7767 or email us as sales@clearspecmedical.com