LuxaSpec Self lighting Speculum vs Welch Allyn KleenSpec: cost, options and features

LuxaSpec Self-lighting Speculums are a top product in Hallmark Surgical’s gynaecology range. The LuxaSpec come in three sizes and is used by many public and private hospitals across New Zealand. But how do they compare to the well-known Welch Allyn KleenSpec?

We have created an in-depth comparison of the LuxaSpec self-lighting and KleenSpec speculum to show you the key differences between the two. Let’s review how these compare.

LuxaSpec Pros and Cons

The Luxaspec has many positives: convenience, readiness for use, and excellent visibility. However, this also comes with disadvantages, such as price and sustainability.

Pros:

  • Convenience:

Self-lighting speculums are convenient as they have an inbuilt light in every speculum, being a completely self-contained unit. This eliminates the need for a separate light source that needs charging and prevents delays in your department, especially when waiting on reusable light sources from other clinicians. You will have a new light every time, so there is no need to worry about the light being dull, insufficient, or damaged.

  • Excellent Visibility:

The LuxaSpec has an integrated light source that provides excellent illumination in the examination area. It reduces shadows or dark spots that can occur when using an older reusable light that has become dull. This allows for clear visualisation of the cervical and vaginal tissue.

  • No charging required – ready to use

Having an inbuilt light in LuxaSpec means no charging is required as it is designed for one-time use. The LuxaSpec ensures no delays between patients, and clinics can’t be interrupted by equipment failing or becoming lost.

Cons:

  • Price

The LuxaSpec is generally more expensive than the KleenSpec because of the integrated light source. The LuxaSpec costs $4.96-$6.50 per unit, whereas the Kleen speculum costs $2.80-$5.00 per unit. This may be a higher cost; however, with LuxaSpec, your department does not need to purchase reusable light sources, which can cost between $300-$600. This may balance out the cost per use for you.

  • Sustainability

The main disadvantage of the SOLO self-lighting speculum is the impact on sustainability. The single-use light adds to your medical waste, which may not align with your sustainability goals.

KleenSpec Pros and Cons:

The KleenSpec has positive aspects, such as economic efficiency, quality/reliability, and environmental benefits. However, it has some cons, such as initial investment and lack of convenience.

Pros:

  • Economic Efficiency:

The KleenSpec uses a reusable light source, which means there is a lower overall cost per examination. At the start, there is a larger investment to purchase these light sources or replace broken, lost or damaged lights. However, this will pay for itself over time. Therefore, it can be more cost-effective for high-volume practices such as hospitals.

  • Quality and Reliability:

Welch Allyn has been the leader in speculums for many years. They are known for being a great product in the market. It has a clear acrylic which allows complete visualisation of the vaginal canal, and a wide, ergonomic handle that improves balance for easier manipulation during exams.

  • Environmental:

Using the KleenSpec means you won’t be throwing out a battery light after each use, as it requires a reusable light source. This means there will be less waste and have a lower environmental impact. This can be an advantage to hospitals with sustainability goals.

Cons:

  • Initial Investment:

Using the KleenSpec requires an initial upfront investment in purchasing reusable light sources. These can range anywhere from $300-$600 per light source. There is also a need for charging stations, warranty and service expenses, and insurance. Reusable light sources can also lead to ongoing costs if broken, lost, or damaged. Therefore, this must also be considered when deciding between the two speculums.

  • Lack of convenience.

KleenSpec uses a reusable light that needs to be charged regularly. This can often lead to patient delays if the light has not been charged properly, forgetting to put on charge or misplacing the light source after use. Busy clinics may need to invest in multiple lights to ensure they have the necessary equipment for all patients.

Conclusion:

The choice between the LuxaSpec and KleenSpec comes down to multiple factors such as convenience, cost, reliability and sustainability. Some things to consider are how many speculums you would be using each week. Do the speculums need to be portable? Are there enough light sources on hand? Are we at risk of losing lights that could interrupt our patient care? You want to ensure you have the best speculum on hand without compromising performance. For these reasons, many hospitals have now switched to the LuxaSpec speculum as their preferred choice. For more information on the LuxaSpec, please reach out to the team today: