by Dental Associates makes successful infection control principles a priority
ADSO members know very well the value of compliance to an effective practice-wide infection control program. This month, Efficiency in Group Practice recognizes Dental Associates – a large group practice whose mission “to improve our patients’ quality of life through excellence in oral health care” provides the infrastructure to compliance to sound infection compliance principles.
Dental Associates’ daily commitment to patient safety makes it essential for the dental practice to comply with all health and safety standards and recommendations set forth by OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to provide a safe and healthful environment for all patients and staff members. “The infection control protocols that Dental Associates upholds ensure our staff remain safe and healthy and, in turn, these steps keep our patients safe and healthy,” says Katherine Schrubbe, RDH, BS, M.Ed, PhD, director of quality assurance at Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Dental Associates.
Covering the basics
When dental facilities fail to adhere to infection control protocols, they can face a number of liability issues, notes Schrubbe. For one, “they can open themselves to potential OSHA inspections, which can result in costly citations,” she says. “But, you can’t put a price on patient safety and maintaining your credibility and reputation in the community as a safe dental practice,” she adds.
Dental Associates ensures its infection control policies and protocols align with the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard and CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings, which include – but are not limited to – sound practices for environmental disinfection, hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment, treatment of dental unit waterlines and instrument reprocessing.
“We provide our facilities with a comprehensive compliance manual that outlines the company’s infection control policies and procedures,” says Schrubbe. “In addition, we provide extensive initial training and annual refresher training sessions. Each clinic facility also designates a supervisor as the safety coordinator. This individual has regular communication with the corporate office compliance specialist, who is responsible for the development and implementation of new and continued infection control protocols and recommendations for the practice.” Indeed, there are a number of dental staff members with an infection control education, such as certified dental assistants and registered dental hygienists, who often are interested in assuming the responsibilities of the infection control coordinator, she points out. “Group practices should work to identify key individuals who can fulfill this role.”
Not only does the CDC recommend that, in any dental setting, at least one individual trained in infection prevention is assigned responsibility for coordinating the infection control program, but having a designated infection control coordinator at each facility within the practice ensures a consistent set of protocols is communicated and followed throughout the entire practice, Schrubbe continues. “The infection control coordinator can provide just-in-time [direction], as well as ongoing training and guidance, to staff in the facility.” Patient and staff safety becomes a priority and the organization reduces its risk of liability.
