Friday 23rd May:
Everyday Excellence - Efficiency is Everything!
The ‘Why’ We Do What We Do & Being Confidently Compliant
The preference and recommendation for an automated workflow has and will continue to change instrument reprocessing and sterilisation. After all, efficiency is everything. Switch off your infection control risks. Avoid awkward conversations, protect reputations, follow guidelines, and ultimately protect your practice. The perfect balance – safety and efficiency!
As we know – time is money! Efficient reprocessing workflow is a critically important area of practice for both cost and time saving opportunities. Have you maximised yours?
Do you know your total reprocessing time? Every step in the efficient reprocessing workflow should essentially be part of your overall evidenced based decision-making processes.
o Are You, Your Team and Your Patients SAFE? How do you know?
Instrument management – benefits of mechanical reprocessing; use, reprocess, reuse.
A validated process is your safety net and peace of mind; safe, simple and cost effective.
o Clean before you Steam!
Ultrasonic cleaning - sound waves passed through a solution to ‘shake’ debris loose, and correct ultrasonic solution formulated for efficient ultrasonic cleaning breaks down bioburden.
Automated instrument washer and disinfector - saves time, eliminate need rinse or dry instruments, protects instruments and provides increased longevity.
Manual cleaning/scrubbing – should be considered a ‘fallback practice’, or only used when manufacturer specification required.
o Mechanical vs Manual Cleaning Processes – increase process reliability.
Effective sterilisation begins with effective (and mechanical) cleaning processes.
Optimise clinical and staff efficiency – reduce staff involvement and measure the differences.
o The Burden of Proof – The Easy Way to Protect Your Practice – essential documentation
Monitoring of the sterilisation process; physical, chemical, and biological
Maintaining the process; equipment testing, maintenance and requalification.
BCI – traceability and linking the patient to the process
Monitoring, testing and documentation – what, why and how to keep it simple
The dental team may have excellent knowledge and understanding, and you may be satisfied that all staff are following protocols, but how do you prove compliance on an ongoing basis? Documentation provides evidence of that consistent compliance – having that information at your fingertips is important.
Support the practice to get safe, be safe with compliant behaviours and then stay safe by implementing infection prevention management plans and empowering the dental team to take charge by becoming self-assessors and self-trainers.