Don’t Guess: Follow the IFU
Cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing, and maintaining medical and dental devices should follow the manufacturer’s Instructions for Use (IFU), not habit or assumption. IFUs are based on testing and validation that show a device can be safely reprocessed and reused without compromising its function or patient safety. When an IFU isn’t followed, the validated process has been […]
Where Germs Hide in Healthcare: Finding the Invisible
Introduction Pathogens don’t announce themselves. They don’t sit in plain sight waiting to be cleaned. If germs could talk, they wouldn’t say, “Here I am!” They would whisper, “Come find me.” That is exactly what makes infection prevention so challenging. In healthcare settings, pathogens rarely remain on clean, flat, easily visible surfaces. Instead, they seek […]
Safe Injection Practices: Infection Control Guidelines
Safe injection practices are a core component of Standard precautions-the foundational infection prevention measures designed to protect both patients and healthcare personnel across all clinical settings. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Safe Injection Practices and Coalition (SIPC), unsafe injection practices place patients at significant risk for devastating, completely […]
Opening Instruments Early – Why It’s a Bad Idea
A common concern in healthcare facilities – whether dental offices, medical practices, or surgical settings – is: “How early is too early to set up for my next patient or procedure?” Another frequent question is: “How early can I open a pouch of instruments and set up trays?” Research has shown that the earlier you […]
Shock, Treat, Test, Maintain: Building a Safer Dental Waterline Program
Dental unit waterline (DUWL) maintenance and monitoring remain an area of concern for dental facilities. Agencies such as the CDC, FDA, and ADA have issued guidance for dental offices on maintaining DUWL. It is the recommendation of these agencies that waterlines are to be treated with a disinfectant/chemical and then monitored (tested) to ensure the […]
How Clean Are Your Instruments? Manual vs Automated Cleaners
Cleaning medical and dental instruments and devices is the first critical step towards disinfection and sterilization. Cleaning is defined as the removal of foreign material from instruments and items used in any healthcare facility. Meticulous cleaning of instruments is required before high-level disinfection and sterilization can occur. Materials, either inorganic or organic, that are left […]
Measles Checklist for Healthcare Facilities
Vaccination is best protection. HCP born before 1957 are considered to have acceptable immunity. However, it should be considered to administer 2 doses of the vaccine unless they have laboratory evidence of disease or immunity. Screen patients upon arrival for any indication of measles. Stay alert for patients with fever and other early signs and […]
The Chain of Infection: Understanding and Prevention
Infection is not random but takes a predictable course called a chain of infection. The chain of infection can be comprised of six interrelated links, which include an infectious agent, a reservoir, a portal of exit, a mode of transmission, a portal of entry, and a susceptible host. Preventing any of these six links can […]
Stop These Infection Control Breaches Before They Lead to Outbreaks
Infection control breaches can result in the transmission of infectious agents, particularly bloodborne pathogens. These breaches are situations when established procedures are not followed, thus potentially placing patients and healthcare workers at risk. A few common infection control breaches found in healthcare facilities, including dental healthcare facilities, are: unsafe injection practices failure to monitor sterilization […]
Reducing the Spread of Respiratory Illnesses This Fall
Fall is here and with it brings football, cooler temperatures, and changing leaves. Unfortunately, it also brings increased respiratory illnesses. Some common respiratory illnesses are influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, rhinovirus and COVID-19. These illnesses are caused by a viral infection. Respiratory viruses can affect both the upper and lower respiratory tract. An upper […]