Page 121 - policy and procedure infection control

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control

4. For surgical procedures, sterile drapes should be used.
5. Patients should wear protective eyewear against physical damage to the eye from
propelled and dropped objects. Protective eyewear must be cleaned with soap and
water and disinfected with an appropriate disinfectant after use on each patient.

6.5.4. Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Dental Equipment and Instruments
1. Methods (refer disinfection section)
•· Critical instruments (contacts non intact oral tissue) examples include forceps,
scalpels, bone chisels, scalers and burs must be packaged and heat sterilized.
• Semi-critical instruments (contacts the oral environment and intact oral mucosa)
examples include amalgam condensers, mouth mirrors, dental hand pieces and
digital radiography sensors should also be packaged and heat sterilized. If heat
sterilisation is not possible - should receive minimum of high level disinfection.
• Non-critical instruments (contacts only intact skin) examples include x-ray cone,
position indicator device for x-ray cone, and face bow, should be cleaned and
disinfected appropriately after each use
2. Instrument processing area in the dental clinic
• Instruments must moved in a single loop from dirty through clean to sterile without
doubling back and should therefore be divided into 3 areas:
o decontamination area for receiving, cleaning, and decontamination,
o packaging area for sorting and packaging,
o sterilising area for sterilization and storage.
3. Instrument cleaning (refer to CSSD chapter)
• Instruments should be wiped of visible blood immediately after use in the surgery
before transporting to the instrument processing area.
• Instruments should be soaked in holding solution in a puncture-resistant container
if cleaning is not performed immediately.
• Instruments to be washed by hand instruments should be soaked in a disinfectant
solution (at least intermediate level) before washing.
• Appropriate PPE which includes utility gloves, masks, protective eyewear and
protective clothing must be worn during cleaning.
• Hand cleaning is the least desirable method because there is direct hand contact
with contaminated / sharp instruments. Clean only 1 or 2 instruments at a time
using a long-handled brush and scrub instruments while submerged to minimise
splashing.
• Automated cleaning equipment such as washer-disinfectors and ultrasonic cleaners
do not require hand cleaning of instruments and they also do not require pre-
cleaning disinfection if disinfectant solutions or heat disinfection is used in the
cleaning process. These methods are therefore safer and more efficient than manual
cleaning. Use recommended solutions and follow manufacturers’ instructions

110 Ministry of Health Malaysia