Quality Assurance Monitoring

With a renewed interest from the public on infection control procedures, we've put together a brief, anonymous survey to help you test your knowledge. The data will be used for an upcoming Dental Economics article but we also hope it will help you find any weak spots in your sterilization systems.

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* 1. In your office, which type of sterilizer do you use?

Steam

Unsaturated chemical vapor sterilization

Dry-heat sterilization (convection and static air)

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* 2. In your office, which types of quality assurance monitors do you use to ensure the sterility of your instruments.

Chemical monitors

Mechanical or physical monitors

Biological monitors

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* 3. Each sterilizer that is used should have accompanying documentation to prove that sterilization procedures are being followed, in addition to a log for regular unit maintenance. Is this something the clinical team is aware of and performs regularly?

Yes

Some team members but not all

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* 4. How frequently do you perform biological monitoring on your sterilization unit?

every week

every 2 weeks

every month

not sure

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* 5. Do you have a protocol for if your biological monitoring devices fail?

Yes, our team knows how to handle a failed test

I am not sure

No, we have not had to deal with this before

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* 6. Which type of biological monitoring spore test do you use in your office?

Mail-in spore test

In-office spore test

Other

Neither

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* 7. Does your team train on instrument reprocessing?

Yearly

Monthly

Unsure

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* 8. Does your team write the appropriate documentation on the sterilization packages to include the date, initials of the person wrapping the instruments, and the sterilizing unit if there is more than one?

Yes

No, we did not know that was recommended

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* 9. Would you be interested in using a specific reader to monitor the success of your current infection control process?

Yes

We have one already in place

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* 10. Would you be interested in a spore test that is conducted in-office with results in less than one hour?

Yes, that would bring me peace of mind

No, we are happy with our current protocol

Quality Assurance Monitoring

Question Title

* 1. In your office, which type of sterilizer do you use?

Question Title

* 2. In your office, which types of quality assurance monitors do you use to ensure the sterility of your instruments.

Question Title

* 3. Each sterilizer that is used should have accompanying documentation to prove that sterilization procedures are being followed, in addition to a log for regular unit maintenance. Is this something the clinical team is aware of and performs regularly?

Question Title

* 4. How frequently do you perform biological monitoring on your sterilization unit?

Question Title

* 5. Do you have a protocol for if your biological monitoring devices fail?

Question Title

* 6. Which type of biological monitoring spore test do you use in your office?

Question Title

* 7. Does your team train on instrument reprocessing?

Question Title

* 8. Does your team write the appropriate documentation on the sterilization packages to include the date, initials of the person wrapping the instruments, and the sterilizing unit if there is more than one?

Question Title

* 9. Would you be interested in using a specific reader to monitor the success of your current infection control process?

Question Title

* 10. Would you be interested in a spore test that is conducted in-office with results in less than one hour?

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* 11. Enter your email to be entered to win a $100 gift card (optional)