sodium-hypochlorite and Hepatitis-B

Topics: Autopsy; Blood Donors; Blood Transfusion; Carrier State; Chronic Disease; Cross Infection; Ethylene Oxide; Formaldehyde; gamma-Globulins; Glutaral; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Antigens; Humans; Laboratory Infection; Lactones; Preventive Health Services; Propionates; Renal Dialysis; Sodium Hypochlorite; Sterilization

The aim of this study was to measure dental office compliance with current Romanian infection control regulations. A questionnaire was completed and returned from 61 randomly selected offices (32 private and 29 public with 94 dentists), where the sterilizers were also biologically monitored. Results indicated that with few exceptions, infection control practices in public and private offices were the same, with compliance on sterilising reusable instruments. Private offices monitored their sterilizers more frequently and had much newer equipment. Gowns were universally worn, but use of gloves, masks and protective eye-wear showed non-compliance with less than 10 per cent of the offices using personal protective equipment for all patients. Cost was the deciding factor. Predominant environmental disinfectants were alcohol and bleach. Offices were in compliance as to the use of disposable anaesthetic needles and carpules. Dentists reported reluctance to be vaccinated against hepatitis B even when offered free immunizations (6.4 per cent) and only 18.1 per cent of dentists had received any infection control training in the last three years. Results indicate that offices were in compliance for most national regulations. However, there are no recently published standards for dentistry in Romania concerning disinfectants or continuing education. Comparison with the literature indicates comparable compliance with recommended national infection control procedures for Romanian dentists as for dentists in other countries.

Topics: Attitude of Health Personnel; Cooperative Behavior; Costs and Cost Analysis; Dental Offices; Dentists; Disinfectants; Disposable Equipment; Equipment Reuse; Ethanol; Eye Protective Devices; Gloves, Surgical; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Vaccines; Humans; Infection Control, Dental; Masks; Needles; Private Practice; Protective Clothing; Public Health Dentistry; Romania; Sodium Hypochlorite; Sterilization; Surveys and Questionnaires; Syringes; Vaccination

As new issues and areas of concern arise in the health care industry, such as the potential transmission of HIV and HBV, adaptive measures will continue to be developed to assist health care professionals in their mission to provide expert medical care for patients and safe environments in which to practice. Health care institutions must commit to exploration of the advances in infection control that employ improved measures to manage the cleaning and disinfecting of spill incidents involving blood and/or body fluids and the disinfecting of contaminated surfaces. Together, product manufacturers and health care workers will discover new ways to save time, money, and resources. The goal for health care administrators should be to focus on products that stress simplicity, efficiency, cost containment, and, most important, the safety of staff and patients.

Topics: Blood; Body Fluids; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Costs and Cost Analysis; Disinfectants; Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; Hepatitis B; HIV Infections; Housekeeping, Hospital; Humans; Infection Control; Sodium Hypochlorite; United States

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Alginates; Dental Impression Materials; Dental Technicians; Disinfection; Glutaral; Hepatitis B; Humans; Occupational Diseases; Silicone Elastomers; Sodium Hypochlorite; Sterilization; Surface Properties

Topics: Dentistry, Operative; Glutaral; Hepatitis B; Humans; Sodium Hypochlorite; Sterilization