Infection Control Source - August 2012 - (Page 6)

techniques article MAKING YOUR TREATMENT ROOMS C OMPLIANT by Shannon Brinker CDA, CDD and Leslie Canham, CDA, RDA FREE 1 CEU COURSE CREDIT! The CPS Evaluation Team conducts product reviews utilizing the entire dental team consisting of dentist, assistants, hygienist, patient coordinators and the dental laboratory. leaned and disinfected treatment rooms are a must in any healthcare practice to ensure safety and health of patients and staff. As dental healthcare providers (DHCP), one of our biggest responsibilities is the safety of our patients. Dental equipment such as power scalers, air and water syringes, and high-speed rotating instruments produce aerosols contaminated with blood, saliva, and other pathogens.1 During patient treatment, dental equipment and surrounding surfaces are exposed to these aerosols, either through direct or indirect contact.1-3 Cross-contamination can also occur by placing contaminated instruments on surfaces or touching items and equipment with contaminated gloves.3 To achieve effective infection control, proper procedures and protocols must be in place, surfaces, instruments, and equipment must be rigorously cleaned, disinfected or sterilized. What specifically needs to be cleaned, how often, with what products, and who is responsible for each task should be clearly outlined. Fortunately, the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides guidelines and recommendations for dental professionals regarding the protocols that must be implemented in every practice. This article reviews the fundamentals for helping to ensure compliance with Occupational Safety C and Health Administration (OSHA) Choleraesuis, Staphylococcus Aureus, and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and they Standards, and recommendations. are used on nonliving objects in dental and medical facilities. EPA registered OSAP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR hospital grade low-level disinfectants are CLINICAL SURFACES OSAP recommendations for clinical effective against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) surfaces are divided into two categories: and Human Immunodeficiency Virus housekeeping surfaces and clinical (HIV). EPA-registered intermediate-level surfaces.3,4 Housekeeping surfaces such disinfectants are effective against HBV as sinks, floors, walls, and windows are and HIV and also include a tuberculocidal not touched routinely during patient (TB) kill claim. When surfaces are care and are considered low-risk for visibly contaminated with blood or transmission of infectious diseases. These other potentially infectious material, an surfaces should be routinely cleaned and intermediate-level disinfectant should disinfected when appropriate. OSAP be used.3,5 recommends classifying clinical surfaces into three categories. 1.) Touch surfaces, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT such as chair switches, dental instruments, Personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment controls and handles, dental should be worn when cleaning and materials, drawer handles, containers, treating patients (Figure 1).3 Protective computers, pens, and telephones. 2.) clothing, eyewear, facemasks, and resistant utility gloves Transfer surfaces, surfaces touched by chemical contaminated instruments including provide a barrier against chemicals and hand-piece holders and instrument trays. contaminants and should be changed 3.) Splash, spatter, and droplet surfaces, at the earliest convenience if penetrated by blood or infectious fluids.3 Protective which are primarily countertops.3,4 eyewear is available in prescription OSHA glasses (Googles by Metrex) with face In 1991, OSHA’s published Occupational shields, and masks are available with Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens; final attached eye shields (Crosstex’s Ultra rule [29 CFR Part 1910.1030] (A-5). To Sensitive No-Fog Face Mask,). Both oral prevent occupational exposure to blood and nasal mucous membranes can serve and other contaminants, OSHA advocates as a portal of entry from bloodborne, use of a low-level “EPA-registered” airborne or other potentially infectious hospital disinfectant.” These germicides materials. The protection provided are registered by the US Environmental by surgical face mask depends upon Protection Agency (EPA) as being effective the amount of aerosol that penetrates against the target organisms Salmonella through the filter material and the degree Figure 1. Personal protective equipment should Figure 2. Mask should cover mouth and nose for Figure 3. Opti-Cide 3 by Biotrol. be worn when cleaning and treating patients and protection from splash and spatter. includes protective clinical jackets and eyewear. CE CREDIT: All participants scoring at least 80% on the examination will receive a certificate verifying 1 CEU Credit. To take the test and receive credit, or request a sample please go to http://cpsmagazine.com/one-ce-credit-treatment-rooms-compliant 6 Fax Your Order: 1.800.732.7023 24 Hours http://www.cpsmagazine.com/one-ce-credit-treatment-rooms-compliant

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Infection Control Source - August 2012

Infection Control Source - August 2012
Table of Contents
Ansell
CE Course for Dental Assistants
Cetylite
Colgate
Crosstex Bookmark
Dash
Dux Dental
Equipment
Gloves
Henry Schein Brand Products
Henry Schein Financial Services
Hu-Friedy
Johnson & Johnson
Kimberly-Clark
Medicom
Microflex
Miltex
Palmero
PDI
Product Highlights
ProRepair
Sultan Insert
Super Specials
Supermax
Tidi Products
TotalCare
Uniforms

Infection Control Source - August 2012