Melissa Turner, BASDH, RDHEP, EFDA
When it comes to the logistics of instrument processing, it can be difficult to not only create standard operating procedures but to also ensure every team member is current on the what, when, and how—especially as most dental clinics are struggling with keeping a full staff. One ADA study notes that 85% of dental practices say that it is very or extremely difficult to find qualified dental assistants and hygienists.
The age-old question of “paper up or paper down?” is a prime example of how complex proper sterilization techniques can be. Perusing the ever-popular sterilization discussions on social media proves how complicated the process is, especially if it is not your daily job or if you are new to dentistry altogether. How full can we pack the autoclave? Is it OK to run instruments on the unwrapped cycle? Can we throw all the instruments and handpieces together? What happens if packaged instruments are wet? Is the outside of the autoclave door considered “clean” or “dirty”? Let’s face it, we can often find it easy to get lost in the nitty gritty of instrument processing and forget why we’re doing it in the first place. Sterilizing instruments is critical to keep patients safe.
In our technology-driven personal lives, we’ve learned that artificial intelligence, smart devices, and other innovative products can make many things easier and more convenient. But what about in our professional dental lives? How do we enhance our clinical workflows—and instrument processing—so we can practice more efficiently and more effectively? The answer is found in utilizing tools and devices that are simple, streamlined, and created for the tech-enabled clinician. My choice is to use a next-generation Midmark M9 and M11 steam sterilizer. Other similar devices on the market include the T-Edge from Tuttnauer, the Lexa from W&H, or the STATCLAVE G4 from SciCan, which all have their own attributes. Whatever sterilizer you choose to use, it’s important that you understand autoclave technology and how it can help standardize work that isn’t yet automated. Read on as we take the mystery and confusion out of a few of the most popular instrument processing pain points.
The clinical workday is like running a marathon-it's physically demanding, repetitive, and can often feel like there is no end in sight. To top it off, the time it takes to process instruments is an afterthought and not exactly built into the workday. Clinicians will routinely glance into the sterilization room any time they walk by to see if the instruments they need are ready, or if the sterilizer cycle has finished so the next one can be loaded. Technology has evolved even in autoclaves; many now include workflow enhancements such as countdown clocks and brightly colored statuses. Some sterilizers offer a lightbar, but it's helpful to consider the size to ensure it is visible from a greater distance. This light bar along with color-coded statuses, a large cycle countdown clock, and even audible cues help clinicians stay on task and save valuable steps.
The last thing you need is to have a technician coming in and out of the office just to give your equipment a checkup. In sterilization you need your equipment to run smoothly, to keep instruments moving throughout the practice. Having a technician come out frequently can be a huge money and time investment over the long haul, so I advise choosing a sterilizer that is known for durability and doesn't require frequent technician checkups. In addition to required maintenance, be sure to know each autoclave's published lifetime expectancy, either in cycle count or years.
Compliance fatigue is a real thing and can be detrimental to both patient and practice in the long run. Some sterilizers record mechanical monitoring, but other newer models even help further by recording both chemical and mechanical monitoring plus on-device tutorials with reminders, notifications, and user authentication. These prompts help lead the team through a standardized process, ensuring the same process is followed no matter who is handling sterilization tasks that day.
Instrument sterilization can be a tedious and confusing process, often with many team members providing a helping hand. It's important to know autoclave technology is available that will help standardize work that isn't yet automated. Creating simple, tech-enabled standard operating procedures-and using next generation autoclaves-will help uncover the mystery of instrument processing and help teams stay on task and on schedule.
Chief Hygiene Officer, Cellerant Consulting Group
Cofounder, The Denobi Awards, the National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference, and the I Heart Dentistry Network
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