We currently use cassettes, for our instruments, that are wrapped and run though the autoclave. Every morning we open however many cassettes we will need, sharpen the instruments and place guaze, prophy angle and suction tip inside. Now we are being told this is unsanitary and against OSHA. What does everyone else do?
Sharpen on an off day. Sterilize and open right before use with patient in room. Place gauze ect…to the side when ready to use. Sharpen during appt if needed. What else is there really to do? Sounds nice how you were doing it, but only open right before or when pt is in the room. Stinks….though.
That is how I was doing it in school. I wasn’t told that was an OSHA violation. I use to set up my tray, sharpen and cover it with a tray cover. I guess you could sharpen at a different time, sterilize and open in front of the patient like Hygenius said. Indeed it would stink.
Why would you sharpen during appointment or right before? The act of sharpening instantly creates a non-sterile environment by contaminating instruments. Sterilize, sharpen, then sterilize again. Get all items ready on side of tray, and don’t open instruments until right before or after pt is seated.
My sharpening cards (diamond coated Hu-Freidy cards and blue stick to eval shapness) are sterilized and sealed. so…. if I sharpen my sterile instruments while wearing gloves and using sterile sharpening cards right out of the package then nothing should be contaminated, right?
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