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2/15/2018 |
Insights |
Sterilization Monitoring In Dental Offices |
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Sterilization Monitoring in Dental Offices from OSHA Review Sterilization Monitoring Regular sterilizer monitoring in a dental office, when properly implemented, is an important part of infection control verification, and includes a combination of process parameters to evaluate the sterilizing conditions and the sterilizer’s effectiveness. Biological monitoring is the standard for assuring proper sterilization of dental instruments. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Dental Association recommend, and most state dental boards require, that dental offices verify the proper functioning of the sterilization cycle at least weekly using a biological indicator, such as the OSHA Review’s Spore Check System from OSHA Review, Inc. When spores are killed during a sterilization cycle, it is assumed that all microorganisms have been destroyed and sterilization is achieved. Records retention requirements of spore test results vary by state; check with your state dental board for more information. What is biological monitoring? Also referred to as spore testing, biological monitoring consists of using biological indicators impregnated with highly resistant, nonpathogenic bacterial spores to test a sterilizer’s function. Specific spores, Geobacillus stearothermophilus for steam/chemical sterilizers and Bacillus atrophaeus for dry heat sterilizers, are inoculated onto strips of specialized filter paper that is packaged in a peel-open, glassine paper pouch. Glassine paper is permeable to sterilant but resistant to moisture and air at ambient temperature/pressure. It allows the laboratory to transport the strip within the glassine from the sterilizer to a laminar flow hood, where it can be properly handled. Lot number and expiration date are printed on each glassine. Read full article on OSHA Review Inc.
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