Mark H. Freedman. D.D.S.1023 Pulaski Road East Northport, New York 11803 631-261-2880

             Sterilization and Disinfection Protocol

The office staff will handle all contaminated instruments and substances using personal
protective equipment, consisting of rubber gloves or an adequate substitute of sufficient
thickness to avoid punctures, masks and eye protection.

Contaminated instruments will be placed on a metal or hard plastic tray or container, and
taken to the sterilization area.

In the sterilization area, the instruments will first be placed into the ultrasonic cleaner.  The
ultrasonic cleaner shall contain a disinfectant enzymatic cleaning solution. Any remaining
debris shall be brushed off the instruments.

The instruments will then be placed into disposable sterilization bags, and placed into the
autoclave.

An indicator strip will be placed in the center of the autoclave indicating by color change
proper functioning of the autoclave.

The water level of the autoclave will be checked, and the autoclave will be run for the proper
sterilization cycle, time, heat and pressure, as specified by the manufacturer.

Upon completion of the sterilization cycle, the indicator will be checked for proper function,
and the instruments, still in their sterilization bags, will be removed to the proper storage
areas.

The date, time and outcome of each sterilization cycle will be recorded in a notebook or by
other means in the sterilization area.

Spore testing of the sterilizer to assure proper function will be done on a weekly basis.  
The spores will be sent to an independent laboratory for evaluation.

Instruments and equipment that cannot be heat sterilized due to manufacture's limitations
will be placed into a cold sterilizing solution prepared according to manufacture's directions.
The items will be left in the solution for the proper time as specified by the manufacturer.

Switches on equipment, handles and pieces of equipment touched during patient
treatment that cannot be sterilized, will be covered by appropriate barriers.
Uncovered surfaces such as countertops, cabinets and chairs that cannot be covered or
sterilized, will be disinfected following patient treatment.

The disinfection procedure is as follows: The surface will be sprayed with a disinfective
solution such as Birex, wiped dry, then re-sprayed and allowed to air dry.

Contaminated sharps, such as hypodermic needles, scalpel blades and suture material will
be disposed of in a properly sealed approved hazardous waste container. Absorbent items
such as gauze or cotton saturated with bodily fluids such as blood will be disposed of
similarly.

Personal protective equipment will be worn by the staff during all procedures likely to
cause,contact with blood, body fluids, aerosols or any potentially contaminated substance.