On December 3, Cal/OSHA issued a News Release stating that the California agency cited Kaiser Foundation Hospitals $149,000 for exposing workers to injury and infection from used needles in the hospital’s sharps collection containers. At least three employees have been…
When you consider the decontamination procedures for high-tech equipment, including computers, digital imaging equipment, and intraoral cameras, first and foremost, you should follow the manufacturer's directions. This provides the best results with the least damage to the equipment. In its…
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses. The CDC also recommends the following as part of your everyday preventative actions: • Frequent hand…
In California, the Dental Board of California (DBC) Infection Control Regulation states that “sterile coolants/irrigants shall be used for surgical procedures involving soft tissue or bone. Sterile coolants/irrigants must be delivered using a sterile delivery system.” According to the Center…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides valuable online resources and information on proper hand hygiene in healthcare settings. Educational materials include interactive training for employees, an overview of hand hygiene, CDC guidelines, materials for patients, etc. Additionally,…
Infection control is a serious concern for patients, staff, dentists and regulators. Public awareness from media outlets can highlight the need for following recognized and mandated infection control rules and guidelines. The investigative report KCRA by a Sacramento, California news station showed…
All clinical contact surfaces that are not protected by impervious barriers must be cleaned and disinfected using a low- to intermediate-level hospital disinfectant registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The low-level disinfectants used must be labeled as effective against…
Healthcare employers are not required to provide routine booster shots or serologic testing to their employees, other than serologic testing immediately following the vaccination series. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard incorporates the recommendations of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) by…
While not specifically prohibited by in California, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that dental personnel with direct contact with patients refrain from wearing artificial nails, keeping natural nail tips short and groomed, and stop wearing…
With the measles outbreak in California and the flu outbreaks nationwide, dental staff need to make sure they are screening patients for these diseases prior to treating patients. In California, Cal/OSHA's Aerosol Transmissible Disease (ATD) Standard requires healthcare providers to…
