Chapter 10 Infection Control. Copyright ©2012 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Essentials of Dental Radiography for Dental Assistants and

Chapter 10

Infection Control

Copyright ©2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.All rights reserved.

Essentials of Dental Radiography for Dental Assistants and Hygienists, Ninth EditionEvelyn M. Thomson • Orlen N. Johnson

ObjectivesDefine the key words.State the purpose of infection control.Describe the possible routes of disease

transmission.Identify conditions for the chain of

infection and methods of breaking the chain.



Objectives Identify agencies responsible for

recommending and regulating infection control guidelines.

List the personal protective equipment recommended for the dental radiographer.

Explain disinfection and sterilization. Differentiate between semicritical and

noncritical objects used during radiographic procedures.



ObjectivesDemonstrate competency in following

infection control protocol prior to radiographic procedures.

Demonstrate competency in following infection control protocol during radiographic procedures.

Demonstrate competency in following infection control protocol after radiographic procedures.



ObjectivesDemonstrate competency in following

infection control protocol for handling and processing intraoral image receptors.

Demonstrate competency in following the infection control protocol when using an automatic processor with a daylight loader attachment.



Key WordsAcquired immunodeficiency syndrome

(AIDS)AntisepticAsepsisBarrier envelopeContaminationCross-contamination



Key WordsDisinfectHepatitis BHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)ImmunizationInfection controlIntraoral dental film



Key Words Microbial aerosol Pathogen Personal protective equipment (PPE) Protective barrier Sepsis Standard precautions Sterilize Universal precautions



Introduction The purpose of infection control procedures

used in oral health care is to prevent the transmission of disease among patients and between patients and oral health care practitioners.





Introduction The radiographer must possess a thorough

understanding of the recommended infection control protocols that should be followed before, during, and after radiographic exposures.



Introduction The specific steps of the recommended

infection control protocols require practice to achieve competency in skilled handling of contaminated radiographic equipment and supplies.



Purpose of Infection Control Routes of infection transmission

Direct contact with pathogens in open lesions, blood, saliva, or respiratory secretions

Direct contact with airborne contaminants present in aerosols of oral and respiratory fluids

Indirect contact with contaminated objects or instruments



Figure 10-1 Chain of infection.



Purpose of Infection Control Breaking the chain of infection

Immunization Removing the pathogen Reducing sufficient numbers of pathogens Blocking the portal of entry



Table 10-1 Terminology



Guidelines for Infection Control Standard precaution “Treat everyone as if known to be

infectious” All body fluids (except sweat) of all

patients, whether known to be infected or not, are assumed to be infected and the necessary infection control procedures must be applied to all.



BOX 10-1 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommended Infection-Control Practices for Oral Radiography



Guidelines for Infection Control Government agencies are responsible for

developing, recommending, and/or regulating infection control guidelines: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) Occupational Safety and Health

Administration(OHSA) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)



Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Protective clothing Masks Protective eyeware Gloves



Figure 10-2 Radiographer preparing x-ray equipment. Wearing PPE (barrier gown, protective eyewear, mask, gloves) to place barriers to cover the x-ray tube head and PID. In the background, note that image receptor holders have been assembled and placed on a plastic barrier on the countertop.



Procedure 10-1 Procedure for Handwashing for Radiographic Procedures



Disinfection and Sterilization of Instruments and Equipment

Disinfection Sterilization Classification of objects used in radiographic

procedures



Disinfection and Sterilization of Instruments and Equipment

EPA-registered sterilants-disinfectants are classified as: High-level disinfectant Intermediate-level disinfectant Low-level disinfectant



Table 10-2 Risk of T`ransmitting Disease Classification of Objects Used in Radiographic Procedures



Infection Control Protocol for Radiographic Procedure

Protocol prior to the radiographic procedure Protocol during the radiographic procedure Protocol after the radiographic procedure



Procedure 10-2 Infection control prior to the radiographic procedure.



Procedure 10-2 (continued) Infection control prior to the radiographic procedure



Procedure 10-2 Infection control prior to the radiographic procedure.



Figure 10-4 Barrier envelope. (left) Film available from manufacturer sealed in barrier packet ready for use. (right) Barrier envelopes may be purchased separately.



Figure 10-5 Opening the barrier envelope. A steady pull is used, allowing the film packet to drop into a clean cup.



Figure 10-6 Barrier envelopes for phosphor plates. (Courtesy of Air Techniques, Inc.)



Figure 10-7 Using a disinfectant wipe to prepare a digital sensor prior to placing plastic barrier.





Procedure 10-3 (continued) Infection Control during the Radiographic Procedure



Figure 10-8 Remove saliva. Radiographer is swiping the film packet across a disinfectant-soaked paper towel prior to dropping the film into the containment cup.





Figure 10-9 Removing the plastic barrier from a digital sensor. Removal of sticky-backed biteblocks is easier if the image receptor holder remains in place attached to the barrier. (A) Grasping the holder in the palm of one hand, press on the sensor with the thumb.



Figure 10-9 (continued) Removing the plastic barrier from a digital sensor. Removal of sticky-backed biteblocks is easier if the image receptor holder remains in place attached to the barrier. (B) As the sensor begins to move, guide it out of the plastic sheath with the other hand.



Infection Control Protocol for Radiographic Processing

Film handling without the use of barrier envelopes

Film handling with the use of barrier envelopes





Procedure 10-5 (continued) Infection control for processing radiographic films without barrier envelopes



Figure 10-10 Steps for removing film from packet without touching film with contaminated gloves. (A) Open the film packet by lifting the plastic tab. (B) Locate the folded tab of black paper and grasp with finger and thumb. (C) Gently pull on the black paper tab sliding the film out of the packet. (D) Allow the film to drop out onto the plastic or paper towel barrier placed on the counter. Separate the lead foil from the rest of the packet and dispose of all materials appropriately.





Procedure 10-6 (continued) Infection control for an automatic processor with the daylight loader attachment.



Figure 10-11 Daylight loader with cover opened. The operator placed clean, dry hands through the baffles. Note that gloves will be put on once the hands are inside the unit.



Review: Chapter SummaryThe purpose of infection control is to

prevent the transmission of disease between patients and operators and between patients.

Standard precautions treat every patient as if known to be infectious.



Review: Chapter SummaryThe chain of infection involves a

susceptible host, pathogens in sufficient numbers to initiate infection, and an appropriate route for the pathogen to enter the host.



Review: Chapter SummaryThe Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) each play a role in developing, recommending, and/or enforcing guidelines for infection control.



Review: Chapter SummaryPersonal protective equipment (PPE) is

used to prevent the transmission of infective microorganisms.

Disinfection and sterilization breaks the chain of infection to prevent the transmission of infective microorganisms.



Review: Chapter SummarySpecific step-by-step infection control

procedures must be performed prior to, during, and after the radiographic procedure.

Strict infection control protocol must be followed when using an automatic processor with a daylight loader.



Recall: Study QuestionsGeneralChapter Review



Reflect: Case Study While exposing a full mouth series of

radiographs on your patient, you accidentally drop the film-holding device on the floor. Since you still have additional exposures to complete, you need the use of this device. Explain in detail what infection control protocol you would follow to deal with this dilemma.



Relate: Laboratory Application Proceed to Chapter 10, Laboratory

Application, to complete this activity.

Documents

Chapter 10 Infection Control. Copyright ©2012 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Essentials of Dental Radiography for Dental Assistants and