Posted by Amy Carbone on Dec 23, 2019 9:30:00 AM
Sterilization practices can be a game-changer for dentists in both good and bad ways. Here are some ways to help try to get the most out of your dental practice's equipment sterilization process.
1. Invest in an All-in-One Dental Practice Sterilization Center
Dental practices are moving beyond cobbling together a sterilization area with multiple pieces of furniture and equipment. Instead, they're investing in complete sterilization systems, which consist of specially designed counters and cabinets outfitted with sinks, lights, autoclaves, and other critical sterilization equipment. They may also have UV cabinets that allow for the ongoing sterilization of tools throughout the day without relying on a traditional autoclave.
Dentists can purchase pre-designed galley or L-shaped sterilization centers, or have one custom-made to their specific needs. The space you have available in your office for a sterilization area is going to largely dictate what kind of layout you choose. Pay attention to the order of equipment within the center; it should be laid out in a way that facilitates the smoothest sterilization process possible.
2. Make Sure You Have Enough Extra Sterilization Equipment
Few things are more frustrating than being faced with an unexpected procedure and not having enough sterile equipment or tools to safely perform it. Unfortunately, exactly this scenario can occur if you don't have enough capacity. For example, if your dental office only has one autoclave and it malfunctions, you'll have no way to sterilize additional tools. If you haven't prepped enough tools for the day, patients will likely need to be rescheduled and emergency procedures may need to be sent to a different office.
Make sure your practice has at least two autoclaves in case one malfunctions. Large practices may want to consider investing in three. Purchase enough extra tools and sterilization baggies to have a few full sets of tools set aside that are ready to be used. The bigger your practice is, the more extras you'll need to compensate for an interruption in your sterilization process.
3. Make Your Sterilization Area Visible to Patients
In the past, the area where tools were cleaned and prepped for the next patient was kept out of patient sight. With dirty tools often laying about, rusted sinks, and old equipment, few dentists wanted their patients to see that area of the office, even when the tools that left the room were perfectly sterile.
Now, dentists are beginning to put their sterile areas on display, while still keeping them in a safe and clean location. They're trading outdated equipment for sleeker, smarter technology and exchanging water-stained steel sinks for UV cabinets and whisper-quiet ultrasonic cleaning systems. You can use a well-constructed sterilization area as a marketing strategy within your dental office if it's placed in a location where patients pass by frequently.
4. Cross-Train Your Staff on Sterilization Procedures
Another nightmare that plagues dental offices is not having enough available staff who know how to use the practice's sterilization equipment or who understand how to properly sanitize dental tools from start to finish. This can happen when the employee(s) who are primarily in charge of sterilization procedures call in sick or are otherwise unable to work their shift; if you don't have enough staff trained in how to operate your sterile area, you could be left with no one to fill the role.
Make sure multiple staff members are cross-trained in how to operate your sterilization equipment and understand what to do to sterilize a set of tools from beginning to end. Ideally, someone from every department will be trained, including one of your dental associates, assistants, hygienists, and an administrative staff member.
5. Build Your Sterilization Area with Enough Space
Last but not least, it's important that your sterile area has enough space for more than just a couple of people. Essentially, you should make sure there's enough space for one person to stand at the counter working and another to pass behind them without bumping into them or asking them to step aside. If your employees are constantly having to dance around each other in the sterilization area, this increases the chances of mistakes and eats away at productivity.
If you have a wall in your dental office that's free, consider using galley-style sterilization furniture instead of L-shaped. L-shaped sterile areas often put two people directly behind each other if they're working close to the corner, causing them to bump into each other more or have to maneuver around each other. Galley-style cabinetry and countertops are flush with just one wall, leaving the space behind employees working completely open.
Need to Increase Patient Retention? Up Your Sterilization Game
Patients want to know their dentist cares about their health and safety when they're in the office. Stop hiding your sterilization procedures behind closed doors! Instead, revamp your sterilization area and put it on display. Use it as a marketing tactic to illustrate your office's dedication to a clean, safe dental practice.
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Treloar & Heisel, LLC. and its divisions do not offer office management advice. Please consult a professional concerning this topic.
