Safe sterilization practices
When in doubt, the dental industry has leaned on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for guidance on safe sterilization practices. For COVID-19 mitigation, this includes receiving, cleaning, and decontamination of debris and contaminants, as well as preparation, packaging, sterilization, and storage. Dental equipment companies are now offering dedicated cabinets, surfaces, and storage for scrubbing and ultrasonic cleaning.
Two-room workflow
Hospitals and health care facilities have set the standard for a dirty-to-clean workflow, and dental practices are taking this a step further with confining decontamination procedures to a closed, designated room with negative air pressure that is separate from an adjacent clean workroom. To ensure proper workflow and safe airflow, this separation allows staff to retrieve clean instruments and supplies without having to enter sterilization, which then reduces the risk of cross-contamination via air or surfaces.
Bulk storage
No doubt, your dental practice has had to invest in more personal protective equipment during the pandemic and going forward. Off-the-ground shelving should be easy to access in clear, tip-out bins so staff is able to easily take quick, visual inventory when locating what they need or determining what to order. Visibility, access, frequency of use, and restocking should be considered at the onset of the organization and ordering process.
What’s next?
Contact the experts at Professional Transition Strategies for more guidance on how to navigate your dental practice post-COVID-19.
https://professionaltransition.com/how-to-promote-efficiency-and-cleanliness-in-your-dental-practice/