Standards & Guidelines
Standards & Guidelines
The regulatory regime for infection control in the dental profession has been through a great deal of change and dental practices are being bombarded with information from all directions. So it’s not surprising that there is still a considerable amount of confusion in many practices as to just what their obligations are.
The Health Act 2008 is not optional, it is the Law. Part 2 of the Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections is simply a set of criteria for Compliance with the Health Act 2008. What is optional is whether you implement these criteria via the guidelines laid down in HTM 01-05 or through another method – provided that you can prove that the other method is just as effective. If you are unable to do so, then you should implement HTM 01-05.
Have the right systems in place to manage and monitor the prevention and control of infection, ie conduct risk assessments and ensure you have robust procedures and that they are documented.
Provide a clean and appropriate environment, ie one that conforms to essential requirements and that instrument decontamination takes place in appropriate facilities.
Ensure that all staff are fully involved in the prevention and control of infection, ie conduct, maintain and document adequate training.
Have and adhere to policies that will help to prevent and control infections, ie have in place a policy for the decontamination of instruments in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions and Essential Requirements so that the instrument is sterilized at the end of the process and maintained in a clinically satisfactory condition up to the point of use.
Ensure that workers are free of, and protected from, exposure to infections, ie make sure your decontamination process is as hands free as possible and that staff are educated in the principles and practice of prevention and control of infection
The regulatory regime for infection control has been through a great deal of change in recent times and there is a range of information from all directions. So it’s not surprising that there is still a considerable amount of confusion as to just what your obligations are.
We’ll publish the latest Legislation information for Laboratories soon. Keep checking back to this page or get in touch for more information.
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists issued revised Standards for the decontamination of instruments in March 2009. The Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists Standards were released in June 2010.
The recommendations of both bodies state that a mechanical process of cleaning (ie washer disinfector) is preferred to manual cleaning and that sterilization must be carried out in a suitable steam or vacuum autoclave suited to the task at hand. The equipment must be maintained and validated to ensure effectiveness. At the very least, clinicians are required to undertake steam sterilization as the method of sterilization within the decontamination process. The recommended cycle is 134°C-137°C.
Standards for the decontamination of re-useable podiatry instruments in primary care
Local authorities in England and Wales are responsible for regulating and monitoring businesses offering tattooing or cosmetic piercing and also acupuncture, ear-piercing, electrolysis and semi-permanent skin colouring. Similar licensing arrangements are in place in Scotland.
Any business wishing to offer these services must register with their local authority. Both the person undertaking the activity and the premises must be registered. It is a criminal offence to trade without registration or to be in breach of the relevant byelaws.
Additional legislation makes it an offence to permanently tattoo persons under the age of 18. No such statutory restrictions apply to cosmetic piercing or skin colouring.
Local authorities in England and Wales are responsible for regulating and monitoring businesses offering tattooing or cosmetic piercing and also acupuncture, ear-piercing, electrolysis and semi-permanent skin colouring. Similar licensing arrangements are in place in Scotland.
Any business wishing to offer these services must register with their local authority. Both the person undertaking the activity and the premises must be registered. It is a criminal offence to trade without registration or to be in breach of the relevant byelaws.
The regulatory regime for infection control has been through a great deal of change in recent times and there is a range of information from all directions. So it’s not surprising that there is still a considerable amount of confusion as to just what your obligations are.
We’ll publish the latest Legislation information for Laboratories soon. Keep checking back to this page or get in touch for more information.
The regulatory regime for infection control has been through a great deal of change in recent times and there is a range of information from all directions. So it’s not surprising that there is still a considerable amount of confusion as to just what your obligations are.
We’ll publish the latest Legislation information for Laboratories soon. Keep checking back to this page or get in touch for more information.
