Care of Client/Patient PDF

Care of Client/Patient Unit V: Care of Client/Patient This unit focuses on essential aspects of patient care, emphasizing environmental hygiene, personal hygiene, and infection control. Dental surgery technicians must be well-versed in these areas...

Care of Client/Patient Unit V: Care of Client/Patient This unit focuses on essential aspects of patient care, emphasizing environmental hygiene, personal hygiene, and infection control. Dental surgery technicians must be well-versed in these areas to ensure the safety and well- being of both patients and healthcare personnel. 1. Environmental Hygiene Environmental hygiene in dental settings is critical to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of infections. Dental surgery technicians must maintain a clean and safe environment by following strict cleaning and disinfection protocols. Key Practices for Environmental Hygiene: Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces: Surfaces that come into contact with patients or dental instruments (e.g., light handles, chair switches, drawer knobs) must be cleaned and disinfected after each patient. Use EPA-registered disinfectants that are effective against bloodborne pathogens like HIV and HBV. For visibly contaminated surfaces (e.g., with blood), use intermediate-level disinfectants with tuberculocidal claims. Barrier Protection: Clinical contact surfaces should be covered with FDA-approved surface barriers to prevent contamination. These barriers should be changed between patients. Care of Client/Patient 1  Housekeeping Surfaces: Floors, walls, and sinks should be cleaned regularly with soap and water or disinfected if visibly contaminated. Reusable cleaning materials (e.g., mops) should be cleaned after use and allowed to dry before reuse. Waste Disposal: Non-regulated medical waste (e.g., gloves, masks) can be disposed of as general waste. Regulated medical waste (e.g., gauze soaked in blood, used needles) requires special handling, including disposal in biohazard containers. 2. Personal Hygiene Personal hygiene is fundamental for dental surgery technicians to minimize the risk of infection transmission. Proper personal hygiene practices protect both the healthcare worker and the patient. Key Practices for Personal Hygiene: Hand Hygiene: Handwashing is the most important infection control measure. Hands must be washed: Before and after treating each patient. Before putting on gloves and immediately after removing them. After touching potentially contaminated surfaces or instruments. For routine care, use either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub when hands are not visibly soiled. For surgical procedures, perform a surgical hand scrub before donning sterile gloves. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate PPE during all patient interactions, including gloves, masks, gowns, and protective eyewear. Care of Client/Patient 2  Change gloves between patients, remove them properly to avoid contamination, and wash hands immediately after removal. Gowns or laboratory coats should be changed if visibly soiled or at least daily. Vaccination: Dental professionals should be vaccinated against common infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, influenza, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), chickenpox, and TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis). 3. Infection Control Infection control measures are designed to prevent the spread of infections within dental settings. Dental surgery technicians must adhere to strict protocols to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases. Key Practices for Infection Control: Standard Precautions: Standard precautions apply to all patient care regardless of infection status. These include: Hand hygiene. Use of PPE (gloves, masks, eyewear). Safe injection practices. Proper handling of sharps (e.g., needles). Sterilization of instruments. Sterilization of Instruments: All reusable dental instruments must be sterilized between uses. This includes items like tweezers, chisels, scrapers, etc.. Sterilization methods include autoclaving or using chemical sterilants as per manufacturer guidelines. Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette: Care of Client/Patient 3  Patients with respiratory symptoms should be encouraged to cover their mouths/noses when coughing or sneezing. Provide tissues and no-touch receptacles for tissue disposal in waiting areas. Offer masks to symptomatic patients upon entry into the facility. Sharps Safety: Use engineering controls such as self-sheathing needles or needleless systems whenever possible to reduce exposure risks. Dispose of all sharp objects in puncture-resistant containers labeled with biohazard symbols. Conclusion Dental surgery technicians play a crucial role in maintaining a safe environment through diligent attention to environmental hygiene, personal hygiene practices, and infection control measures. By following these guidelines meticulously, they help prevent the spread of infections within dental settings while ensuring high- quality patient care. Citations: How To Avoid Spreading Infections in Dentist Offices https://www.servicemasterclean.com/clean-blog/healthcare-cleaning/how-to- avoid-the-spread-of-infection-in-dentist-offices/ Standard Precautions | Dental Infection Prevention and Control - CDC https://www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/summary/standard- precautions.html Best Practices for Environmental Infection Prevention and Control https://www.cdc.gov/dental-infection-control/hcp/dental-ipc-faqs/cleaning- disinfecting-environmental-surface.html Care of Client/Patient 4