The transport of dental instruments before or after use has proven to be a long-standing problem for dental clinics, colleges of dental medicine, and other various dental specialty practices. Transporting clean instruments should be performed in a manner that protects instruments and devices from contamination...
Unfortunately, dental practices and colleges of Dental Medicine are not immune to lapses in dental instrument processing. One of the most recent incidents occurred at a Florida College of Dental Medicine. More than 1,100 patients were notified of the potential for acquiring a bloodborne pathogen...
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced an official name for the disease causing 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19. CDC will update their website and other CDC information to reflect this change as no doubt other websites will follow. Research and other articles written prior...
Dental Unit Waterlines consist of any line or tubing connected to the dental unit or chair that water runs through to instruments or items that enter the patient’s mouth. This includes high- and low-speed handpieces, prophylaxis angles, air abrasion devices, air/water syringes, and ultrasonic scalers....
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Standard Precautions combine the major features of Universal Precautions (UP) and Body Substance Isolation (BSI) and are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions except sweat, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes may...
Although not part of Standard Precautions, it seems appropriate to discuss sharps handling after discussing safe injection practices in an earlier blog. While safe injection practices focus on protecting patients from poor healthcare personnel practices, this blog focuses on protecting the healthcare worker. Some Basic Information...
What went through your mind when you read this title? Perhaps you thought: “Really?” or “Seriously, in developed countries?” The reality is that more than 150,000 patients in the U.S. have been notified to seek screening for hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and Human...
How Should I Clean This? Take your pick of any type of patient care equipment in the inpatient or outpatient setting, and I have probably been asked about cleaning it. Let’s quickly review some basics. Always use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered hospital grade disinfectant, which...
Cough etiquette was introduced as part of standard precautions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the 2007 Isolation guidelines. The 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak, which resulted in the transmission of SARS to emergency department patients, visitors, and staff,...
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