Frustrated with the expense of maintaining infection control? Ready to see your next patient but your room is not clean? Missing instruments in your kit? Waiting for your dental assistant to be chairside but your assistant is busy reprocessing instruments? Upholding infection prevention and control standards is important, and it takes time, but there are ways to do it faster, safer and easier. Follow these 3 tips to increase efficiency in the IPAC workflow. Not only will you save time, but you will also save money and decrease stress.
Wipes
Are you using the most efficient and effective wipe? Most wipe manufacturers state that the surface needs to be wiped twice. Most wipe manufacturers state it takes 3 minutes for the surface to remain wet after wiping to be effective. Why use two wipes when you can use one? Why use a wipe that takes 3 minutes to work when there are wipes which only take 1 minute? The OPTIM line of surface cleaner disinfectants successfully clean and remove blood proteins in one single application. They kill TB, bacteria and viruses in just one minute. You will help the environment and decrease your costs by using half as many wipes. They are non-toxic, have no hazard symbols, and leave no residue. Save time getting your room ready for the next patient by using OPTIM 33TB, OPTIM 1 and OPTIM OS1. OPTIM surface cleaner disinfectants are one of the fastest, most effective and safe to use cleaner disinfectant wipes, on the market.
Cassettes
I love using cassettes. Check out all the advantages of using them:
- All the instruments stay together in a cassette. Instruments that come from pouches get separated during cleaning and must be assembled back together before placing in a new pouch. This takes time and there is a risk that instruments get mixed up.
- They are safer for healthcare workers as contaminated instruments are handled less.
- Cassettes make it easier for instruments to be properly cleaned and sterilized as they are spaced apart in a cassette. When pouching instruments for sterilization, the instruments are often touching.
- It is simpler to grab one cassette which contains all your instruments for a procedure than to gather several pouches of instruments. Cassette wrap is more environmentally friendly because it is made from paper, whereas pouches are made of plastic.
Automated Washer
Automated washers are superior to ultrasonic cleaners as they are safer and more effective. An automated washer saves time, is more effective and is safer for workers. The new HYDRIM 112W G4 frees up 6.5 hours per week for patient care, cuts instrument cleaning costs by up to 70% and reduces sharps exposure. Automated washers are safer as instruments can be placed directly in the HYDRIM, whereas instruments placed in an ultrasonic cleaner require scrubbing, presoaking, rinsing and drying. Both the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons (RCDSO) recommend using automated washers. Save time and money, protect your team and provide optimal infection control using an automated washer.
Conclusion
Follow these three tips to save time and money.
1. Use OPTIM wipes.
2. Place instruments in cassettes.
3. Use automated instrument washers like the HYDRIM 112W G4.
Following these tips will result in: saving money, your room will be clean and ready faster, your instruments will not be missing in your kits, your assistant will spend less time in the stericentre, IPAC standards will be maintained, your team and patients will be safe, you will save time, and you and your team will be less stressed. Use these 3 tips to achieve a faster, safer and easier reprocessing workflow.
References
HYDRIM 112W G4+ Automated Instrument Washer | Canada
