| Infection Control |
Your health and safety is our highest priority.
For this reason you can be assured that all instruments in our surgery
are sterilized within an autoclave.
Prior to sterilization all instruments are cleaned in a thermal
washer/disinfector.
Most instruments are wrapped and sealed in special sterilization
wrap or bags. This ensures that the instruments remain sterile until
they are unwrapped at the time of use.
How do we know the instruments have been sterilized?
We use four separate checks of the sterilization process. |
 |
Firstly, the process is monitored by an onboard
computer within the autoclave. This will provide an alert
if the sterilization cycle has not proceeded according to
the necessary parameters required for sterilization. |
|
| Secondly, chemical indicators are placed within
the autoclave for each cycle to double check that the correct
time and temperatures have been achieved. These indicators change
colour when these conditions have been met. |
|
|
Thirdly, markers are placed on each packet of instruments
which change colour after sterilization. This way we can always
see that we are opening a sterile pack for you.
Fourthly, we test the effectiveness of the autoclave by
placing a sealed vial of bacteria within the autoclave. This
vial is incubated to see if any bacteria survive.
The autoclave is also tested and calibrated by qualified
technicians on a regular basis to ensure correct functioning. |
|
| Protective barriers |
| You may also notice plastic or latex covers
on many handles and surfaces. These are placed on surfaces
that are likely to be handled by staff during your treatment.
These are changed after every appointment just like our gloves.
Records are kept of all these checks. We would be delighted
to show you the process. You are welcome to inspect our premises
and observe the procedures. |
 |
|
| Please feel free to ask our receptionist
for a tour. |
| top of page |
