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OSCE Guide: Vaginal Swab Procedure

The document provides a 32-step checklist for taking vaginal swabs as part of an OSCE examination. It outlines introducing oneself to the patient, gaining consent, inspecting the vulva and cervix using a speculum, taking vaginal swab samples, removing the speculum, labeling and sending the samples to the lab, thanking the patient, and documenting the procedure. The checklist ensures all necessary steps are followed to properly examine the patient and obtain samples in a safe, respectful manner.

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472 views2 pages

OSCE Guide: Vaginal Swab Procedure

The document provides a 32-step checklist for taking vaginal swabs as part of an OSCE examination. It outlines introducing oneself to the patient, gaining consent, inspecting the vulva and cervix using a speculum, taking vaginal swab samples, removing the speculum, labeling and sending the samples to the lab, thanking the patient, and documenting the procedure. The checklist ensures all necessary steps are followed to properly examine the patient and obtain samples in a safe, respectful manner.

Uploaded by

Neeta Ananda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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OSCE Checklist: Vaginal Swabs

Introduction
1 Introduce yourself to the patient including your name and role

2 Confirm the patient's name and date of birth

3 Explain what the procedure will involve using patient-friendly language

4 Explain the need for a chaperone

5 Gain consent to proceed with taking vaginal swabs

6 Ask the patient if they have any pain before taking vaginal swabs

7 Ask the patient to remove their underwear for the procedure and provide them with privacy
whilst they get undressed
8 Wash your hands

9 Gather equipment

Vulval inspection
10 Don gloves and position the patient in the modified lithotomy position

Inserting the speculum


11 Re-check that the patient is happy to continue with the procedure

12 Use your left hand (index finger and thumb) to separate the labia

13 Gently insert the speculum sideways (blades closed, angled downwards and backwards)

14 Once inserted, rotate the speculum back 90° (so that the handle is facing upwards)

15 Open the speculum blades until an optimal view of the cervix is achieved

16 Tighten the locking nut to fix the position of the blades

Visualising the cervix


17 Inspect the cervix

Taking the vaginal swabs


18 Pick up the swab's sample tube using your dominant hand and pass it to your non-dominant
hand
19 Remove the lid of the sample tube using your dominant hand and place in the tray

20 Pick up the swab itself with your dominant hand and take the relevant samples

21 Place the used swab back into its tube, which should still be in your non-dominant hand and
tighten the lid
22 Place the completed swab into the tray

Removing the speculum


23 Loosen the locking nut on the speculum and partially close the blades

24 Rotate the speculum 90°, back to its original insertion orientation


25 Gently remove the speculum, inspecting the walls of the vagina as you do so

26 Re-cover the patient and explain the examination is complete

27 Dispose of the used equipment into a clinical waste bin

28 Wash your hands

To complete the procedure…


29 Label the samples with the relevant details

30 Thank the patient for their time

31 Advise the patient that they'll be contacted with results via their preferred method (e.g. face
to face or text message)
32 Document the procedure in the medical notes including the details of the chaperone

33 Send the vaginal swabs to the lab for processing

34 Suggest further assessments and investigations (e.g. urinalysis, abdominal examination,


bimanual vaginal examination)

Read the full guide at Download our


geekymedics.com GEEKY MEDICS clinical skills app

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