The Compliance Divas Podcast

Often when new offices are designed or older offices are remodeled, much of the emphasis is placed on the aesthetics of the building. This episode gleans the perspective of designing a compliant office from our Compliance Divas. Sterilization Area  https://bit.ly/3rWdoMRSterile Supplies https://bit.ly/3QvHDU3Storage of Medical Supplies https://bit.ly/3s6QJxbReception Area Privacy Concerns https://bit.ly/3QsY5VeReasonable Safeguards for Privacy https://bit.ly/45JmKt0Active Shooter On-Campus Healthcare Facility https://bit.ly/3tJQRmX https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

Dr. Bicuspid https://www.drbicuspid.com/Dental Assistant Nation Podcast https://soundcloud.com/user-649058115 https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

Whether you are the office manager or the infection control coordinator, it is challenging to keep up with regulatory information and maintain the documentation required to be in compliance with OSHA regulations and CDC guidelines.  Creating systems is a key to greater efficiency and consistence in dental practices.  This episode will explore the options for creating greater efficiency and enhanced compliance.HuFriedyGroup GreenLight Compliance Centerhttps://bit.ly/48lFyAWHuFriedy Group GreenLight Compliance Center Brochurehttps://bit.ly/48A8OnZTop 5 Reasons for GreenLight - YouTube videohttps://bit.ly/3Rpb1fLPacific Dental Services Eliminates Sharps Injuries - Case Study https://bit.ly/3rjW1VIGo Lean! Principles for Making Sure your Compliance is...Compliant - Dental Economics  https://bit.ly/46cjirY https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

When dental professionals need practical information on dental infection control and safety, they turn to OSAP.  Members can download checklists, tool kits and access FAQs. In this episode, the Divas interview Nancy Dewhirst, RDH the editor of OSAP's publication titled ICIP to learn why this is a MUST HAVE/MUST READ newsletter. Resources:Organization for Safety Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) https://www.osap.orgOSAP Infection Control in Practice (ICIP) https://www.osap.org/infection-control-in-practice https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

What is the one item you aren't sterilizing after each patient and should be? The is one item that you use for every patient that really should be sterilized and not just wiped or sprayed to disinfect. The Divas celebrate Dental Infection Control Awareness Month with Crystal Genics to discuss autoclavable air/water syringes.Resources:FDA - letter to dentists on handpiece sterilization - 1992 https://bit.ly/3qNa3PDCDC Statement on Reprocessing of Dental Handpieces - 2018 https://bit.ly/3P1VnE1Crystal Genics https://www.crystalgenics.com/ https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

The X-ray Apron in your Dental Practice is subject to wear and tear. Do you know how to inspect your apron for internal compromise? Do you store the apron properly, to prevent damage? This episode will provide do's and don'ts and tips to extend the life and usefulness of your apron.  Resources:Kerr Total Care - Wall mount X-ray Apron Hanger https://bit.ly/44zSL6aUniversal Medical - X-Ray Protective Apron Care:  9 Do's and Dont's  https://bit.ly/3L27mAeUltraray Medical Protective Garment Guide  https://bit.ly/45wUrPkBarrier Technologies Ultimate Guide to Sanitizing and Cleaning Lead Aprons https://bit.ly/3EfqQxG  https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

No one wants to face regulatory compliance fines or have to defend a law suit.  It boils down to risk - how you effectively manage risk.  Risk assessments identify the need for efficiency and incorporate change. Risk assessments help gather data to prioritize risks, optimize our readiness and protect our dental practice, and on a personal level - protect our dental licenses.  Resources:CDC Infection Prevention Checklist https://bit.ly/3DH9klyOSHA for Dentists https://www.osha.gov/dentistryHIPAA Security Risk Assessment https://bit.ly/45awmgrHR Risk Assessment https://www.aihr.com/blog/hr-risk-management/ https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

The Compliance Divas bring another episode of infectious disease updates that may affect dental patients and teams.   Learn about updates to MRSA guidance, the new RSV vaccine and cases of locally acquired (non-travel related) in the U.S., and more.Resources:CDC Resources on https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/index.htmlMRSA SHEA Updated guidance on MRSA https://bit.ly/3Ov8grjFDA Announcement on RSV Vaccine https://bit.ly/3pXNwz7Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) website:  https://bit.ly/44FT2WcCDC HAN on Malaria https://bit.ly/3OsXiT4 https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

The CDC is now monitoring a new concerning pathogen--the Candida Auris fungus. Candida Auris or C. Auris is concerning due to it's rapid transmission and the fact that it multi-drug resistant. This episode will raise your awareness of C. Aurus in dental settings and provide practical advice to be sure your current surface disinfectant will kill this deadly pathogen.Resources:CDC Candida auris:  https://bit.ly/3pTrDkeCDC Outpatient Information:  https://bit.ly/3O0zbcVCDC Healthcare Acquired Infections: https://bit.ly/43vmUTOVery Well Health - What is Candida Auris?  https://bit.ly/3K617LzHealthline - What is Candida Auris?   https://bit.ly/3XURlS9NY Times - Deadly  Fungus Spread Rapidly During the  Pandemic   https://nyti.ms/3Q6FApJ https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

This episode is the second part of episode #106 - Emergency Evacuation Planning.  As workplace violence, especially domestic violence and active shooter incidents are increasing, the Dept. of Homeland Security, the FBI and OSHA are encouraging all employment settings to have an emergency action plan place.  The Divas will discuss the philosophy of Run - Hid - Fight, in the case of a violent incident, resources for creating an emergency action plan and other recommendations to ensure the safety of dental practice employees and patients.Resources:  OSHA Standard 1910.38 Emergency Action Plans  http://bit.ly/3MnehnE OSHA Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool https://bit.ly/46OroaLOSHA Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers  https://bit.ly/3OywOQIFBI Active Shooter Safety Resources  https://bit.ly/3OAHDlmDept. of Homeland Security - Active Shooter How to Respond https://bit.ly/46WEjHY https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

Recent dealings with the Office of Civil Rights' HIPAA investigator provides insight on some of the first things the investigative lawyer looks for.  This episode will assist you in making sure you have basic elements in place for the HIPAA Privacy Rule, such as the Notice of Privacy Practices.How to make a complaint:  https://bit.ly/3JGWg35Model NPP required elements:  https://bit.ly/3ptpgo5Upcoming Changes to the NPP  https://bit.ly/3NzJd4LOCR Enforcement: https://bit.ly/3NTzVBU https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

Staying current with new technology and products that enhance and/or improve infection control and patient safety is a must! In this episode, the Divas discuss the latest technology, research and products presented at the annual OSAP conference. This episode will have an immediate impact on infection control processes and safety in your office or organization.OSAP: https://www.osap.org/ArmiGard: https://armigardusa.com/NoPo Guard: https://nopoguard.com/CrystalGenics: https://crystalgenics.com https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

Do you use DEA controlled substances or pharmaceutical medications in your practice? Not sure? Our guest speakers from Health First will review the difference in the various pharmaceutical medications in dental settings along with the proper tracking and disposal of these items. Listen in and take away best practices for managing narcotics and pharmaceutical waste in your practice or organization. Health First Pharmaceutical Services: https://www.healthfirst.com/waste-management/pharmaceutical-waste-disposal/DEA Drug Disposal: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/Blog: How Dental Office Can Dispose of Unused and Expired Medication https://www.healthfirst.com/blog/how-healthcare-practices-can-dispose-of-unused-and-expired-medications/Waste Segregation Guide: https://info.healthfirst.com/healthcare-waste-segregation-guide Pharmaceutical Waste Recovery: https://www.healthfirst.com/store/medical-waste-management/waste-disposal-pharmaceutical-recovery-services/ Mail Back Envelope for Unused Medications (non-narcotic): https://estore.healthfirst.com/product/envelope-recovery-unused-medications https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

On 5/11/23 the CDC released updated guidance on ventilation in buildings, including healthcare facilities.  This episode discusses these guidelines and how they apply to dental practice settings, including such topics as air exchanges per hour (ACH), HVAC settings and filtration and the use of HEPA air purification devices.Recources:CDC Improving Ventilation in Buildings https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/improving-ventilation-in-buildings.htmlASHRAE Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Resources   https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/resourcesASHRAE Core Recommendations for Reducing Airborne Infectious Aerosol Exposure  https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/technical%20resources/covid-19/core-recommendations-for-reducing-airborne-infectious-aerosol-exposure.pdf https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

Even though the COVID-19 Medical Emergency Declaration has ended, COVID-19 infections have not.   Although some guidelines, such as practicing source control (masking at all times in the healthcare facility) is no longer required, most of the CDC's recommendations remain unchanged.   In this episode, the Compliance Divas will discuss these updated guidelines in detail and relay what dental professionals need to know about the spread of aerosol transmissible diseases.Resources:CDC Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic - Updated 5/8/2023  https://bit.ly/3OxmgBaASHRAE Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Resources  https://bit.ly/3WtCMUHNational Assoc. of County and City Health Officials (NAACHO) Directory of Local Health Departments  https://bit.ly/3q8VoNFState of CA Dept. of Industrial Relations COVID-19 Prevention Requirements - Effective Until Feb. 3, 2025  https://bit.ly/3BMQZm6The CA Workplace Guide to Aerosol Transmissible Diseases  https://bit.ly/3IuQVev https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

In recent years we have seen increases in severe weather outbreaks and other types of emergencies that may require a dental facility to be evacuated.   This episode will explore OSHA's requirements and important facts that dental teams should consider when developing or updating their safety plans.Resources:Elements Necessary for a Violation of the OSHA General Duty Clause  https://bit.ly/3pwooicOSHA eTool for Evacuation Plans and Procedures   https://www.osha.gov/etools/evacuation-plans-proceduresOSHA How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3088.pdfOSHA Fact Sheet on Emergency Exit Routes https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/emergency-exit-routes-factsheet.pdf https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

More than 15% of Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrests (OHCAs) occur in a public location; therefore, public access AEDs and community training have a large role to play in early defibrillation. AED's play an important role in saving lives in dental settings as well. How well do you know your AED? How to maintain an AED: https://bit.ly/3Hk5i4MAED Fact Sheet: https://bit.ly/3HkpTWRHow to Use an AED: https://bit.ly/3LfUqGnAED Program Checklist:  https://bit.ly/3AzF5eKAED and PAD Program: https://bit.ly/3oHbuNS https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

In a medical emergency, do you know where your Oxygen tank is, how to hook up hoses and start the flow of Oxygen? Does the tank have enough Oxygen to deliver? Our Podcast guest, Henry Serrano of Blue Ocean Safety shares what dental professionals need to know about their Oxygen tank.  Henry's Blog on How Long Does Brain Activity Last After Cardiac Arrest?https://blueoceansafety.com/how-long-does-brain-activity-last-after-cardiac-arrest/AHA Section 3: Adjuncts for Oxygenation, Ventilation, and Airway Control:https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/epub/10.1161/circ.102.suppl_1.I-95OSHA on O2 Tank Storage:  https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.253#:~:text=Oxygen%20cylinders%20in%20storage%20shall,at%20least%20one%2Dhalf%20hour. Joint Commissions  Oxygen Cylinder - Storage Management: https://bit.ly/3p2z4Fb https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

 If your office does not require the use of respirators, what are the OSHA requirements if you decide to wear a N95 voluntarily? This podcast provides an overview of OSHA's requirements and important considerations for your respiratory protection. Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: https://bit.ly/3LNjkP5OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard: https://bit.ly/3nkZUaSAppendix D to OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard https://bit.ly/41Y3yqh https://www.thecompliancedivas.com

How do you know if your instruments are really sterile? What if your sterilizer is not performing its job? In this special episode, the Compliance Divas cover best practices for sterilization monitoring  and how to handle a failed sterilizer test.Best Practice for Routine Sterilizer Efficacy Monitoring: https://bit.ly/44fngiZfCDC Sterilization Monitoring:  https://bit.ly/44xvOBYVideos from the HuFriedyGroupStep-by-Step Video for Spore Check 24 hour: https://youtu.be/2K8GJ0QjkKMStep-by-Step video for HuFriedyGroup Type 5 Steam Sterilization Integrators: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTCqm5Z4u-oHuFriedyGroup Blog Post:  How to Approach Biological Monitoring: https://www.hufriedygroup.com/blog/approach-biological-monitoringIn-Office Biological Monitoring of Table-top Steam Sterilizers: https://bit.ly/3HypjVofMail In Biological Monitoring Support: https://bit.ly/3ne99Kc https://www.thecompliancedivas.com