Building a Compliant and Efficient Infection Control Workflow
Sterilisation and infection control involve far more than putting instruments through an autoclave and recording the result.
A compliant workflow starts well before the steriliser and continues well after the cycle has finished. Cleaning, instrument classification, packaging, cycle selection, monitoring, load release, documentation and traceability all form part of the process.
In our recent Dental Innovations lunchtime webinar, Deep Dutta, Product Manager for Connected Technology Solutions at Dentsply Sirona ANZ, took practices through these key areas and highlighted how a well-structured workflow can support both compliance and efficiency.
Here are some of the key points covered.
Understanding the current standards
The Australian and New Zealand standards provide the framework for instrument reprocessing and sterilisation, so it is important that practices understand what the requirements mean in day-to-day practice.
This includes having appropriate processes in place, ensuring staff understand their responsibilities and maintaining records that demonstrate the required procedures are being followed.
The reprocessing workflow matters
Sterilisation is one part of a much larger process.
The workflow needs to cover the journey from the dirty zone through cleaning, packaging and sterilisation, to cooling and storage. Each stage plays a role in achieving the desired outcome, so having a clear and consistent process is essential.
Instrument classification is also important, as different types of instruments and loads can have different handling and sterilisation requirements.
Choosing the right sterilisation cycle
The correct cycle should be determined by the instruments and load being processed, rather than simply choosing the quickest or most convenient option.
Understanding the difference between hollow, solid and porous loads, and knowing which cycle is appropriate for each, helps ensure instruments are processed according to their requirements.
Monitoring, testing and validation
Effective sterilisation relies on more than simply completing a cycle.
Practices need processes for daily testing, per-load monitoring, validation and requalification, along with appropriate records.
Regular monitoring provides evidence that the sterilisation process is operating as intended and gives the practice documentation to support its compliance requirements.
Don’t overlook water quality and equipment maintenance
Water quality and steriliser maintenance can have an impact on equipment performance and sterilisation outcomes.
Having appropriate maintenance procedures in place, understanding water quality requirements and keeping records of servicing and testing are all important parts of managing sterilisation equipment.
Load release and staff responsibilities
Who is responsible for releasing a sterilised load?
This is an important part of the workflow. Staff involved in sterilisation need to understand the checks that should be completed before a load is released and their responsibilities throughout the process.
Clear responsibilities and consistent procedures help reduce the risk of steps being missed.
Documentation and traceability
Good documentation is not simply paperwork for the sake of compliance.
Sterilisation records can provide evidence of what was processed, when it was processed and the outcome of the cycle. Batch control and traceability can also allow sterilisation records to be linked back to individual instruments and, where required, the patient.
For practices still relying heavily on paper records, digital systems can provide another way to make records easier to search, manage and trace.
Preparing for accreditation and compliance reviews
When an accreditation or compliance review comes around, having a process is one thing. Being able to demonstrate that the process is being followed is another.
Consistent documentation, monitoring records, testing results, maintenance records and clearly defined staff responsibilities all contribute to a practice being able to demonstrate its infection control processes.
Efficiency without compromising compliance
A compliant workflow doesn’t have to mean an inefficient one.
Looking at the entire process, identifying where time is being lost and making sure equipment, documentation and staff responsibilities work together can help practices streamline their workflow without compromising the required standards.
The key takeaway from Deep’s presentation was that infection control is a complete workflow, not a single step. When cleaning, sterilisation, monitoring, documentation and traceability are considered together, practices are better positioned to maintain consistent processes and demonstrate compliance.
Watch the webinar
Missed the live session or want to revisit the information?
Watch the full webinar recording to hear Deep Dutta take you through the workflow and the key considerations for dental practices.
Deep has also provided an educational resource collection to accompany the session.
Educational Resources
Download Educational Resource
Q&A Recommendations
Guidelines & Standards
CURRENT ADA Guidelines
NSQHS Standards
Standards Australia Links
AS 5369:2023, Reprocessing of reusable medical devices and other devices in health and non-health related facilities
Document Purchase Link
The information discussed in this article is based on the Dental Innovations webinar presentation and is intended as general educational information. Practices should ensure their own procedures meet the current applicable standards and regulatory requirements.