Lighting

Typically we set up our "exam office" completely with all instruments, straps, bedding. But we alays have difficulty with finding lighting that works well, is adequate, plus does not get in the way during the exam. Any ideas or suggestion on what you use for lighting for exams.

Also, occasionally we do impromptu exams in bed, so to speak, with just a few instruments, gloves and such, but also need suggestions for lighting as well. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I can understand your desire for good lighting.

I've searched for used exam lamps on ebay and craig's list but never connected on anything.

I've had good luck with an inexpensive floor lamp that has 3 lamp heads mounted on the single vertical pole. The heads are adjustable and can be directed and turned on/off individually. One lamp head is sufficient. I usually sit on a stool so I position the floor lamp just to my side. If needed, I will tilt the lamp during the exam to provide a nice view through the open speculum to fully visualize the cervix.

I purchased it at Home Depot for $25 or $30. Some assembly was required, I think the pole was in 2 or 3 pieces and had to be attached to the base too. It's nice that the lamp is just a regular reading lamp in between it's intended use.

Good luck! 😃

Thanks for the input. Looks like I may be taking a trip to lowes/home depot for a look around...

Lighting does make an incredible difference. Like you said, having a clear, illuminated view through the speculum to the cervix has been the issue. Lamps placed on the side don't really give the direct light needed, and others I have tried also get in the way. Will let you know what we come up with.

I used to shoot catalogue pictures of small parts and i used a photographic lighting set of 3 lamps which i would triangulate. might work well here.

Thanks for the ideas.

So I went to Lowes the other day and bought a couple of PVC piping, a floor flash(?) to use to attach to a base and an inexpensive clamp light. I'm going to put it together so one piece of pipe goes up from the floor, then conect a 90 degree pipe attachment and the other peice of pvc, so that it goes horizontal over top of the exam table and patient, without getting in the way of the examination, but allowing sufficient lighting.

There nothing like shopping at Lowes, or any other store in tht frame of mind, its amazing what you will find that makes a great addition to the home office!

A very handy item I find, is a LED "headlight". A lot smaller than the old conventional tungsten miners' or speleologists' lamps, they provide excellent lighting and are not major consumers of batteries. Additionally, a swan-neck LED-cluster reading lamp with a clip base makes for an ideal solution to gynaecological chair lighting

Ebay and craigs list. For years I had a cabinet near the base of my table and I had a flashlight that had a long flexible neck mounted to it with strong tie wraps. This was like a plumber's flashlight you could wrap around pipes and point where you needed it. It worked out quite well and was inexpensive and sort of looked like the real thing.

However, I did break down and get a real exam light. It goes up and down on a pole and has a stainless flex neck.

It looks a lot more realistic and the light is much more color balanced. The light from a flashlight always looks like an incandescent lamp that is not getting enough voltage. I think this has a halogen lamp in it. It is very bright and a very white light.

Look on CL and Ebay for real exam lights.

Years ago a doctor in my home town use to have a round magnifying light at the end of his exam tables. It made me wonder

I sometime use a good old forehead mirror for the closeup exams. That works amazing well and also give some extra authority with the oldschool doctor look