MARCH 9TH, 2009
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released its “Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008.” The guidelines present evidence-based recommendations on the preferred methods for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of patient-care medical devices and for cleaning and disinfecting the healthcare environment. The brand-new 2008 guidelines do have a section on Dental Instruments. New subjects in the guidelines include inactivation of emerging pathogens; bioterrorist agents and bloodborne pathogens; toxicologic, environmental and occupational concerns associated with disinfection and sterilization practices; disinfection of patient-care equipment used in ambulatory and home care; inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and new sterilization processes. More information about the guidelines can be found on www.cdc.gov and www.osap.org .
