SOP5
The Bayhead Dental Practice places great emphasis in careful
sterilization, disinfection techniques and cross infection control measures. It
is essential to the safety of our patients, our families, to yourself
and other members of staff.
Every member of staff will receive training in all
aspects of infection control and the following policy MUST be adhered to at all
times. If you are unsure of any
aspect of this policy then please ask Mr. MacDonald.
All staff must be immunised against diptheria,
hepatitis B, pertussis, poliomyelitis, rubella TB and tetanus and their hepatitis
B sreoconversion checked and recorded in their staff records.
All staff should wear the nitrile gloves provided when assisting in the patient’s mouth, and when dealing with instruments and contaminated material. Hands should be washed before wearing the gloves and the gloves can be washed during treatment if they are contaminated with blood. Disposable paper towels are provided as well as a hygienic soap dispenser. Any skin damage must be covered by a waterproof dressing before putting gloves on. New gloves must be worn for every patient and any gloves they become damaged must be replaced.
The protective glasses and masks provided should be worn whenever the handpieces or scalers are being used in the mouth. It is most important that good aspiration technique is maintained with the large aspirator tip to keep the aerosol created to a minimum.
Protective clothing ie. uniforms must not be worn outside the practice.
In surgeries there are clean and dirty zones to stop cross
contamination. The dirty zone is the dental nurse’s sink and that is the only
place “dirty instruments” should be placed after use before taking them to the
sterilisation room.
Within the sterilisation room the dirty zones are marked with red tape.
At completion of treatment all instruments and handpieces should be
removed for sterilization. Covered trays will be used for transporting
contaminated instruments. To avoid risk of skin damage heavy duty rubber gloves
should be worn when cleaning sharp instruments. Personal protective equipment such
as eye and mouth protection as well as waterproof aprons must be worn. All instruments should be thoroughly washed under
hand – hot water (to prevent creating aerosols or splashes) with detergent
using a long handled brush until visibly clean under the light magnifying glass.
They should then be rinsed under running water before placing in the ultrasonic
bath.
Instruments should be placed in the ultrasonic bath for 15 minutes
before sterilization
All instruments and handpieces will be rinsed and dried then placed in the autoclave for sterilization. Once sterilised all instruments will be stored in covered trays or pouches until ready for use.
Needles and sharps and single use instruments must be
carefully disposed of in the rigid sharps containers. Never hold a needle cap in the hand to
resheath it, always use the needle guard provided. Sharps containers should not be more than two
thirds full.
All waste material contaminated by blood or saliva
must be disposed off in the separate contaminated waste containers and these
bags are to be sealed at the end of each day and placed in the orange bags.
When the orange bags are three quarters full they must be double sealed with
the cable ties provide and labelled. Air should be expelled from the bags
before sealing to reduce bulk.
The work surfaces and bracket table should be kept as clear as possible
and only those instruments and materials required for that patient should be
out. Any equipment or material left on
work surfaces should be covered with an impervious disposable covering.
Disposable impervious coverings are provided for items of equipment that
may be touched during dental procedures.
After each patient the bracket table, handle, motor, 3 in 1 handle,
spittoon, light, amalgamator and drawer handles should be effectively cleaned
by applying a detergent liquid to the surface and physically wiping the area with
a generous application of elbow grease.
Disinfection of impressions and appliances:
Immediately on removal from the mouth, the impressions or appliance
should be rinsed under running water to remove saliva, blood and debris. Repeat
the process until it is visibly clean. The appliance or impression should then
be disinfected in the Sodium Hypochlorite solution in the laboratory as per the
instructions at the impression bath.
In the event of an inoculation injury, the wound should be allowed to
bleed, washed thoroughly under running water and covered with a waterproof
dressing. The incident should immediately be reported to the dentist to assess
whether further action is required. Advice on post-exposure prophylaxis can be
obtained from “Infection control staff” Western Isles NHS Board. The incident
must be recorded in the incident report file.
Anyone developing a reaction to protective gloves or a chemical must
inform Mr MacDonald immediately.
The Latest advice sheet from the British Dental Association with full
guidance is available in folder QF 5.51.2.
The full NHS Western Isles Infection Control Policy is available in the
practice office.