Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2016-02-29, 12:37:29 | version 1.38.0
By Patricia Pine, RDH, Infection Prevention Consultant, Founder, OSHA Training Boot Camp n When it comes to infection control, there is one crucial piece of equip- ment that receives little attention: The evacuation valves that come into use hundreds of times a day during patient treatments. These frequently touched valves are covered with millions of patho- gens, including blood proteins that travel through high- and low-volume suction tips and aerosolized saliva, although not evident to the naked eye, that coats nearby surfaces and equipment. All of this bioburden has the poten- tial to infect every person who comes in contact with the valve. Numerous infection control stand- ards are currently in use: Critical instrumentsareautoclaved;counters, cabinets and chairs are disinfected; barrier protection is used; closed waterline systems are maintained; single-use items are disposed; and water lines are flushed. Whilemostequipmentissterilized or disposed, the majority of dental practices just simply wipe down the outside of the evacuation valves in between patients. Research has confirmed that wip- ing down valves is ineffective in decontaminating evacuation valves, while sterilizing the valves breaks down the o-rings, requiring them to be frequently replaced. It is inefficient to break down and disinfect the valves in between patients, and breaking down the bacterial-laden valve can put the den- tal team at risk. What is the solution? The new disposable saliva ejector DOVE® Backflow Prevention Valve, introduced this month by Stoma Dental, is a one-way valve that prevents backflow and eliminates cross-contamination between your patients. Make it clean, make it work With staff and patient safety being of such great concern, the dispos- able DOVE prevention backflow valve, which also is coated with an antimicrobial, provides the safest route. The DOVE system adapts to a wide range of single-use tips and includes tailcaps to reduce noise and bacterial aerosols between DOVE valve replacements. Come learn about it at the Stoma Dental booth, No. 5234. exhibitors22 Chicago Midwinter — February 27, 2016 The dirtiest place in a practice Ad Here in Chicago For more information or to place an order for the DOVE Backflow Pre- vention Valve, visit www.stomadental. com, call (855) 800-DOVE, email sales@ stomadental.com or stop by the booth, No. 5234, here in Chicago. 5 Patricia Pine 4 Stoma Dental Disposable SE DOVE valve (left) next to a traditional metal valve (right). (Photo/ Provided by Stoma Dental) Part 3 of 3