Unit 3A: Standard Precautions for Equipment and Supplies

1. Breakdown and Setup of Treatment Room

The treatment room must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between patient appointments. Remove all disposable items and barriers, and clean all reusable surfaces with an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant. Fresh barriers should be placed on touchpoints such as the chair, armrests, and light handles. Sterilized instruments should also be set up for the next patient.

2. Barriers

Barriers are essential for maintaining a hygienic work environment and preventing cross-contamination. They are generally single-use items that need to be replaced between each patient. Common examples include chair covers, light handle sleeves, and unit covers.

3. Position Indicating and Beam Alignment Devices

These devices are used to direct the X-ray beam during radiographic procedures. They should be covered with disposable sleeves or barriers to prevent contamination. Once a radiograph is taken, these barriers should be disposed of, and the device should be cleaned with an approved disinfectant.

4. Clinical Contact Surfaces

Clinical contact surfaces, such as countertops, drawer handles, and light switches, are frequently touched and can become contaminated easily. These surfaces should either be disinfected regularly with an approved cleaner or covered with disposable barriers that are replaced between patients.

5. Critical and Semi-Critical Instrument Sterilization

Critical instruments are those that penetrate soft tissues or bone, such as forceps and scalpels. Semi-critical instruments come into contact with oral tissues but do not penetrate them, such as dental mirrors. These instruments must be sterilized after each use. The process usually involves manual cleaning, followed by sterilization in an autoclave or dry heat sterilizer. Once sterilized, these instruments should be stored in a designated clean and dry area.

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