New framework, same expectations – Kate Scheer

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  Posted by: Dental Design      3rd May 2018

As of April 2018, primary dental care services will be inspected under a new framework as part of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) ‘next phase of regulation’. Instead of being assessed using the ‘Dental Provider Handbook’, primary dental services will be subject to the key lines of enquiry, prompts and ratings characteristics outlined in the revised healthcare services framework. It’s not all change though – inspection teams will continue to specialise in a particular type of service, and the five key questions that we have come to know so well will remain the same.

All equipment, along with your sterilizer(s), has always been under scrutiny from the CQC, and the new regime is no different. Should the CQC team come knocking they will want to know that everything is being used properly and maintained to a high standard in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. HTM 01-05 guidelines clearly state that all equipment must be validated on installation and annually thereafter, so if you’re unable to produce the appropriate paperwork on inspection it opens the door wide open for all sorts of potentially difficult questions.

The same goes for testing and servicing. As far as the CQC is concerned, you must be able to demonstrate that your equipment is fully functional and performing to the necessary standards needed to prevent the spread of infection. Naturally, the manufacturer is best placed to assist you with this, as they know exactly what to look for and will have the specialist tools to work on your equipment. The correct spare parts should always be sourced straight from the manufacturer or their accredited agent, in order to ensure that repairs can be carried out quickly and to a high standard, thereby minimising downtime. This is invaluable to ensuring compliance and maintaining a high standard of infection control.

None of this is new. Practices have long been aware of expected standards and the impact of infection control on being able to provide a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led service. You will all be aware of basics such as keeping a record of every single sterilization cycle; it’s just a matter of putting effective processes in place to ensure that you’re able to achieve such requirements day in, day out.

W&H offers a complete range of decontamination solutions alongside technical support to facilitate compliance and help you meet the CQC’s expectations. W&H’s high-quality decontamination equipment consists of a range of sterilizers including the market-leading Lisa sterilizer, the ThermoKlenz washer disinfector and new Assistina TWIN handpiece care and maintenance device, all of which boast innovative design features for ease of use and consistent performance. From the high capacity data logger and patented Eco Dry technology of the Lisa sterilizer, to the duel chamber system of the Assistina TWIN and validated reproducible cleaning of the ThermoKlenz, W&H can help you to succeed in your CQC inspection. W&H also offers installation and service by a team of engineers formerly certified to perform sterilizer commissioning and validation.

 

To find out more visit www.wh.com/en_uk, call 01727 874990 or email office.uk@wh.com

 


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