As the holidays approach, many dental offices plan to close for a well-deserved break. While it’s a time to relax and recharge, there are several essential tasks to ensure your practice is ready for a smooth reopening. Here’s a checklist of steps to take before locking up, so your office stays safe, compliant, and prepared to hit the ground running in the New Year.
1. Waterline Management
Consult your waterline maintenance protocol for extended closures. Some systems may recommend draining the lines completely, while others offer products that protect water quality over prolonged periods. Checking your product’s instructions is crucial to avoid biofilm buildup, which can lead to contamination and impact patient safety. Waterline maintenance is one of the simplest ways to protect your equipment and avoid costly issues when you return.
2. Spore Testing for the Autoclave
If your autoclave will be out of use during the holiday period, it’s recommended to perform three consecutive spore tests upon returning to ensure the system is fully operational. This precaution verifies that your autoclave is effectively sterilizing instruments, maintaining high infection control standards, and protecting patients and staff alike.
3. Dispose of Biohazard Waste
Leaving biohazard waste in the office over the holidays can lead to issues like odor, contamination, or even regulatory violations. Treat this task like tidying up your home before vacation—it’s always better to come back to a fresh start. Properly disposing of biohazard waste ensures your office is clean, compliant, and ready for patient care upon reopening.
4. Review Employee Certifications
The holiday downtime is a perfect opportunity to check employee certifications, such as CPR and other required credentials, to ensure they’re up-to-date. Reviewing these documents now prevents any last-minute renewals and keeps your team in compliance with regulatory requirements, ready to jump back into patient care without interruption.
5. Extra Holiday Hours for Organizing and Reviewing SOPs
If some team members are looking for extra hours over the holidays, consider assigning tasks like:
Reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Ensure everyone is on the same page with updated infection control protocols.
Confirming Expiration Dates on Products: Especially check the medical emergency kit and other essential supplies.
Deep Cleaning: Use the holiday break to thoroughly clean the office, preparing a fresh, sanitized environment for the New Year.
Implementing Organizational Systems: If you’ve ever wanted to set up a more efficient organizational system, like Zirc’s color-coded tools, now is a great time to put it into action.
Why SOPs Matter During Holiday Closures
Clear, organized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) make holiday shutdowns and reopenings seamless. With SOPs in place, every team member knows their responsibilities for closing down the office, from securing biohazard materials to ensuring equipment maintenance. If your team needs support with infection control protocols, our Infection Control Coordinator’s Guidebook offers CDC-aligned protocols, checklists, and resources to streamline your office processes.
For those looking to advance their skills, our Beyond the Basics course is designed for Infection Control Coordinators (ICCs) to help ensure compliance and strengthen infection control standards.
A Fresh Start for the New Year
Taking these steps before the holiday closure will ensure your dental practice is compliant, clean, and ready to reopen smoothly. From waterline maintenance to checking certifications, a bit of planning now means peace of mind over the break—and a fresh, organized start to 2024.
Ready to level up your infection control practices? Reach out to us for training resources and support tailored for ICCs and dental professionals.
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