DS 35 - Defining Instruments Reprocessing Workflows in a Fast-paced Dental Clinic Increases Patient and Staff Safety

Background: Infection prevention and control observations of Instruments reprocessing work flows in a dental clinic by dental assistants, located in an urban tertiary cancer center, identified breaches in infection control protocols. Breaches included staff not following dirty to clean workflow which resulted in contamination of clean instruments and possible staff and patient exposure from potentially infectious materials.

Methods: To address this problem, a multidisciplinary team was assembled and determined that all dental instruments reprocessing should be done in the Central Processing Department. The transition of reprocessing these instruments from the Dental Clinic to Central Processing department was done in three phases: basic, complex, and surgical kits over the span of 6 months. The multidisciplinary team regularly met to report progress and, review and address obstacles encountered.

Results: Dental assistants spent more time in the procedure room to assist with patient care. Barriers on transporting soiled instruments to Central Processing Department were identified and corrected during simulations. Quality assurance checklists were developed and performed. The new physical layout and unidirectional workflow was achieved in 4 sections: receiving, cleaning, packaging, and sterilization. Instruments inspected and grouped in sterilization trays according to the type of procedure or physician preference.

Conclusions: Transitioning the reprocessing of dental instruments to the Central Processing Department ensures compliance with regulatory standards of practice. The interdisciplinary team was able to accomplish an organized, safe and time efficient workflow that can be adapted by other dental settings. This improvement initiative is important for patient and staff safety.