Five ways to launch a successful safety management program: infection control and safety considerations
Surgical forceps caked with bloodWe live in a culture of blame, particularly in health care. The mediolegal environment and its tort process reinforce the assignment or shifting of blame.1 If you take the lead in safety management, you realize how important it is to gain the cooperation of your team members. Blaming previous employees or pointing fingers at weak employee performance does not strengthen the process. Keep in mind that if we depend on a team member, we are often disappointed. Create a system and depend on the system. Regardless of any practice hiccups, such as a new hire, an employee on maternity leave, an employee who calls in sick, or any number of things that modify our workday, our system must remain intact. 2. Assess what documentation must be put into place. Educate yourself on how to put the program together, or outsource the project to a reputable compliance group. Note OSHA’s requirements: “Employers shall ensure that all employees with occupational exposure participate in a training program, which must be provided at no cost to the employee and during working hours.” 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(i). The frequency is noted as, “At least annually thereafter.” 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(ii)(C). Include an evaluation of a safer medical device. Ensure the development of a work exposure control plan that includes a protocol for exposure incidents.2 Therefore, the “system” is to prevent needlesticks and sharps injuries.CDC estimates that health-care workers sustain 385,000 needlesticks and other related sharps injuries in hospital-based settings annually, amounting to 1,000 sharps injuries daily. Unfortunately, no data is available for dental office settings, specifically due to a lack of surveillance systems.3The most common infections occupationally transmitted via sharps injuries during patient care include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. CDC also notes that the risk includes herpes, malaria, and M. tuberculosis.4Costs associated with post-exposure management of health-care personnel range from $500 to $3,000.5 CDC revealed that if the worker is infected, the cost to treat the individual’s bloodborne illness over a lifetime is estimated at $1.0 million. This data has captured the attention of lawmakers and safety groups. 3. Assess your dental office. How can we make the workplace safer and comply with the latest infection-control guidelines?This article is simply an overview of the many facets of job safety and infection control. For the purpose of this discussion, we’ll start with the sterilization area. In compliance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard, affix chemical identification labels to secondary containers such as the ultrasonic unit, high-level disinfectants, plaster and stone bins, COE cleaner container, alcohol containers, spray bottles, and more. Assure the “dirty” to “clean” flow of your central sterilization area.6 This common violation requires simple changes. Wear heavy-duty utility gloves when handling loose contaminated instruments. Use an automatic process for pre-cleaning the instruments, such as an ultrasonic unit or a dental instrument washer.