Choosing the best colposcopy clinics requires examining the credentials of the obstetricians and gynecologists employed at the facilities. It also involves looking at rates, overall cleanliness and customer service. The last step when looking for the best colposcopy clinics is comparing the types of colposcopy and related procedures the clinics can perform.
Probably the most important factor to consider are the credentials of the physician who will perform the procedure. The doctor should have no lapses in his licensure or insurance coverage and should have good reviews from other patients. In addition to looking at the doctor's license and insurance, women who need to find the best colposcopy clinics should ask the physician where he attended medical school and did his residency. Information about involvement in professional organizations, research and publications is also useful because it shows the physician is active in his field outside of the clinic.
Clinics that offer colposcopies may charge very different rates. This is because obstetricians and gynecologists may operate their own practice or be part of a firm. The agreements between the physician and insurance companies also matters. The best clinics accept a large number of insurance plans, have very clear instructions on how to pay and will set up payment plans for patients if necessary. They also provide an estimate of charges for patients before the physician completes work.
All medical facilities must adhere to strict sanitation guidelines as set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the medical industry. Sanitation is particularly important in obstetrics and gynecology clinics that perform colposcopies and related procedures like Pap tests. The human papillomavirus (HPV) is an extremely common virus known to cause cervical cancer in some people, and poor sanitation can spread HPV and other diseases carried in bodily fluids and tissue. The use of gloves and masks should be standard and there should be no tissues, toilet paper, dirt or other debris on the floor of the facility.
Women who need colposcopies often are nervous about the procedure. They are anxious in part because of the intimacy and discomfort of the exam, but also because they know that there is the potential for the results of the colposcopy to confirm the presence of cancer. The best colposcopy clinics thus have physicians and nurses skilled in techniques that calm patients. Workers in a good clinic may continue talking to patients as the physician completes the colposcopy, adjust the size of instruments used automatically, guide the patient through the colposocopy step by step, explain all tools used and even hold the patient's hand. Some may allow patients to listen to music on portable devices if it is soothing, as well.
Although what occurs during a colposcopy is fairly standard, to find the best colposcopy clinics, one must ask the clinic what options the physician has following the procedure if treatment is warranted. A good clinic should be prepared to have the physician do a repeat Pap, laser oblation, cryocautery, loop electrosurgical excision and cold knife cone biopsy. It should be able to make recommendations for facilities that can perform more serious treatments such as hysterectomy.