Get Ready--Cuz Here They Come: OSHA Inspectors Hot on New CDC Infection Control Guidelines for Dental Office Setting

9/12/2017 10:38:07 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 673
IF SALIVA WERE RED VIDEO
(click below to play)
You've been in dentistry a long time, right?  Undoubtedly you know what is considered "Right & Wrong" when it comes to Sterilization & Disinfection, correct?  Don't be too sure...

We've all sat through that Infection Control Class in Dental School and had that one beautiful moment, when we discovered our grotesque fascination with blood & spit.  For many of us, it was the first time we saw the "If Saliva Were Red" video.  (Now updated by OSAP and provided above (in color) for your viewing pleasure. Don't let the Spanish title detour you---there are no words, it is intended for universal viewing)

We read. We studied. We reasoned--- and looked deeply at the science behind:  Infection Control.  It is as foundation as knowing what bur to use for a specific prep or what instruments to use for root planning.  So how much can it change? Not much you would think.  But the Centers for Disease Control is taking a very different stance.  In March of 2016 they published their revised Summary of Infection Prevention Practices for the Dental Setting.  And if you have not looked over this document yet--you may want to take a serious look at it.  In fact, I urge you to print it (44 pages)---look over the "blue highlighted boxes" and plan several staff meetings to get your team familiar, acclimated and "on-task" with these updated Infection Control Practices. Why?...

Well, over the past several months, I've encountered--more and more---that OSHA Inspectors are using this CDC document, along with their cell phones, to navigate through the halls of your dental office to video tape and take pictures of your Infection Control Practices.  And its interesting to discover that many dental offices are missing the mark, without being aware of these new CDC Updates.  And that can add up to be big bucks in the world of OSHA Inspections.

As an OSHA & HIPAA Researcher & Trainer, I work directly with OSHA Inspectors and dental offices every day to try to bridge-the-gap between non-compliance and the ever updating OSHA laws.  Did you know that the average OSHA Fine in 2016 was $1700 per infraction?  And Inspectors never stop at just one! Keep in mind that their cell phones now can provide a "real-time technology stamp" on the everyday Infection Control Protocols that are occurring with in your office.  From protective eye wear not being worn to unsafely in returning a used syringe to your dental assistant to be recapped, these "real-time personalized stamps" are sure to cost you plenty, unless...

You take the time to embrace this new CDC Infection Control Update.  I compel you to print this 44 page document and review it closely with your team.  Have several staff meeting and review it closely.  Then implement any new doctrines into your daily Infection Control Practices.  We all have to keep aware of the changes in infectious disease management and brush-up on our "careful" skill set.  " Expertise" has a counterpart: "Short-cuts" can mean abandonment-from-protocols.  These are never the calling cards that true professionals want to be known for...

As the owner of a Compliance Solutions Company, we too have taken the time to really embrace these new doctrines.  Our OSHA Manual has been rewritten with (4) customization sections and is currently 345 pages long!
This is stuff that OSHA Inspectors look for immediately when arriving at your dental office. So get prepared!

I hope you have found this information to be compelling.  Take my Staff Meeting Challenge and print the new CDC Infection Control Guidelines.  Implement them within your dental practice.   If you find yourself needing additional insight or if you want some guided-help with the process, do not hesitate to reach out to me or my team for some inspiration or support.  It is never fun to do this sort of thing alone.  We understand that.

Don't wait until the OSHA Inspector is in your reception room.  Get 'er done.      

written by:
JILL OBROCHTA RDH BS
Dental Enhancements
OSHA & HIPAA made EASY
941-587-2864
jill@dentalenhancements.com 

Osha regulations for dental offices 2019
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