Have you wondered why people are leaving their jobs? According to iHire’s 2022 Talent Retention Report, the top 5 reasons people left jobs in the last 12 months are:
Unhappy with their manager/supervisor 43.7%
Unsatisfactory pay/salary 43.4%
Poor work/life balance 35.4%
Lack of recognition/appreciation 29.7%
Few growth/advancement opportunities 28.3%
In a dental or medical office, obviously compensation can peak in line with industry averages for the required position; however, can we explore ways to increase satisfaction with compensation such as an additional paid day off, participation in a bonus, payment of a portion of health insurance coverage or other ideas?
Most dental offices only work 4 days a week allowing better work/life balance. However, in evaluating a lack of recognition or appreciation, can we consider making the effort to engage everyone during morning huddles and team meetings? Perhaps interview team members during the meeting to share their perspective on practice growth, patient satisfaction, and goals for the new year. Everyone wants and needs to be heard.
We are excited to offer the program: From Acceptable to Exceptional: How to raise your team’s performance and keep them engaged. If you have any questions in regards to courses offered in the coming year, email olivia@oliviawann.com.
Depends. Check with the manufacturer because the information may vary among brands.
According to CDC, all items to be sterilized should be arranged so all surfaces will be directly exposed to the sterilizing agent. Loading procedures must allow for free circulation of steam around each item.
Wrapped cassettes should be spaced apart and single height loaded. They should not be touching each other.
Peel pouches should be placed on its edge in racks according to Midmark.
Check with the manufacturer to determine whether cassettes or pouches should be sterilized in a horizontal position such as the Tuttnauer EZ9Plus or a vertical position as in the Tuttnauer EZ11. Tuttnauer also indicates to place paper/plastic pouches with the plastic side up.
More info here: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/sterilization/sterilizing-practices.html
Watch the Midmark video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPIXM9OBQfI
Don’t forget to place a chemical indicator inside of cassettes and use autoclave tape on the outside. Also, date the pouches and cassettes with the sterilization date and indicate which sterilizer was used.
Not sure what the term “Human Firewall” means? A lot of people don’t. But as the idea and practice of a human firewall gains more and more recognition and effectiveness, now is a great time to implement this in your practice.
Two support questions we receive quite often are: what is the difference between an Infectious Spill Kit and Chemical Spill Kit, and what products do we need to maintain those kits?
Does everyone at the practice know the drill if there were to be a natural disaster or emergency? It’s a great idea (and required by OSHA) to have a Fire and Emergency Action Plan in place that everyone at the practice knows and would instantly adhere to if there were a natural disaster or fire.
One of the “small” details that is a big deal to OSHA is sharps containers. In some practices we at MPS have inspected, we’ve found sharps containers in places like cabinets, treatment room corners, and on countertops. OSHA has standards for sharps containers that if left unfollowed could result in costly OSHA fines. Since disposal is usually the main occasion for contaminated needle sticks to happen (according to CDC’s Workbook for Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating a Sharps Injury Prevention Program,) OSHA pays close attention to how sharps containers are placed and handled.
If you’re at all unsure about your sharps containers, take a walk through your practice and compare the placement of the sharps containers to this list of required compliance:
Size: OSHA doesn’t specify a certain required size; only that the “Employers should select the appropriate container design after assessing the hazards associated with use of sharps containers (e.g., considering the size and types of contaminated sharps the employer expects to dispose of),” according to recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) document, Selecting, Evaluating, and Using Sharps Disposal Containers. OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens standard at 29 CFR 1910.1030 (d)(4)(iii)(A)(l)(i) requires that sharps containers be closable, but does not specify a set size for the opening on a container to be.
Material: There is not a specific material specified by OSHA, but: “Containers for contaminated sharps must be puncture-resistant. The sides and the bottom must be leakproof. They must be appropriately labeled or color-coded red to warn everyone that the contents are hazardous. Containers for disposable sharps must be closable (that is, have a lid, flap, door, or other means of closing the container), and they must be kept upright to keep the sharps and any liquids from spilling out of the container.” (Reference: OSHA Fact Sheet Protecting Yourself When Handling Contaminated Sharps.)
Placement: This is where OSHA gets pretty specific. Sharps containers can’t be placed just anywhere. According to NIOSH and OSHA 1910-1040(g)(1)(i)(D).): “Sharps containers are to be located near the hazard, within arm’s reach and placed at height that is below eye level for users (typically 52 – 56 inches from the floor when wall mounted or 38 – 42 inches for a seated workstation).”
It obviously needs to be kept in a secure place where it cannot be jostled or easily knocked down or turned over. According to CDC guidelines: “Containers should be upright and easy to operate while preventing the contents from spilling. The container should be placed in a visible location, within easy horizontal reach, and below eye level. The container should also be placed away from any obstructed areas, such as near doors, under sinks, near light switches, etc.”
NIOSH has a list of inappropriate places for sharps containers. Those inappropriate places include:
The corner(s) of a room
Mounted on the back of a door
Under cabinets
Mounted on the inside of cabinet doors
Under sinks
In areas where a patient or person could sit or lie directly beneath the sharps container
Near a light switch, environmental controls, or electrical outlets
Where the container could possibly be in contact with a pedestrian or in practice traffic or moving equipment
Care: “The containers must be replaced routinely and not be overfilled, which can increase the risk of needlesticks or cuts. Sharps disposal containers that are reusable must not be opened, emptied, or cleaned manually or in any other manner that would expose workers to the risk of sharps injury. Employers also must ensure that reusable sharps that are contaminated are not stored or processed in a manner that requires workers to reach by hand into the containers where these sharps have been placed.” (Reference: OSHA Fact Sheet Protecting Yourself When Handling Contaminated Sharps.)
Handling: “Before sharps disposal containers are removed or replaced, they must be closed to prevent spilling the contents. If there is a chance of leakage from the disposal container, the employer must ensure that it is placed in a secondary container that is closable, appropriately labeled or color-coded red, and constructed to contain all contents and prevent leakage during handling, storage, transport, or shipping.” (Reference: OSHA Fact Sheet Protecting Yourself When Handling Contaminated Sharps.)
Being sure your sharps containers are made, placed, and handled correctly also ensures you that risk of injury and infection in your practice being significantly lessened.
Your Work Exposure Control Plan is essentially one of the most important parts of your OSHA Manual, and it needs to be reviewed by everyone at the practice annually. Consider taking time to review the Work Exposure Control Plan as a team when you have your annual training.
When it comes to PPE, the sequence of donning and doffing is just as important as the PPE you’re wearing. Following the proper sequence can save you time and aid our efforts in avoiding spreading infection.
Did you know that the way your Sterilization Center is set up could save you 5+ minutes per procedure and set your practice apart in infection control? Laying out your Sterilization area efficiently puts your practice in the fast lane on the road to success. Take an honest look at your practice’s Sterilization Center and compare to the layout ideas below:
Over the years, we’ve received quite a few phone calls with desperate and worried persons on the other end of the line telling us that there has been a needlestick incident in their practice and they have no idea what to do next. This is definitely not a fun predicament to be in, but it’s important to keep your head and take the appropriate steps to ensure that you’re following OSHA’s standards. Don’t be intimidated by the forms and the protocol. You can do this.
