Especially here in the South, most of us grew up knowing how seriously we take spring cleaning…and through the decades this hasn’t really changed. Whether it’s a Marie Kondo-esque purge, a literal top-to-bottom cleaning that would make your Granny proud (and the CDC envious!), or – TRUE STORY – completely emptying the contents of a room onto the front lawn to facilitate a THOROUGH spring cleaning, we mean business!
But while you perform whatever spring cleaning ritual in your home, DON’T overlook the value of one for your dental office. Of course, you perform those basic and required daily-weekly-monthly sanitation and cleaning tasks. And providing a hygienic environment for your patients and staff remains a HIGH priority. Yet, we can easily forget those “less-frequent” cleaning and maintenance activities. So what better time, than spring?
First, take a look around the office – using the same eagle-eye your Nana or mother-in-law would – to examine areas you might easily overlook in the day-to-day activities. For instance, when was the last time you LOOKED UP?!? Think about it, your patients spend a LOT of time facing your ceilings. Check for discolored tiles or paint. Make sure some six-legged creatures have not made your lights (and their translucent panels) their final resting place. Are there any cobwebs tucked away in high corners? Spend just a few minutes to view your office from a patient’s perspective…from walking into the building, your reception area, the hallways leading to treatment or consultation rooms, and YES, even reclining back in your chairs. If you don’t like what YOU see, imagine how it will impact patients!
Now, you can address those less-frequent tasks that may escape more regular attention. Certainly, you mop and disinfect your floors daily. But, does that tile or vinyl require a specialized “deep” cleaning by professionals? Or, even a steam cleaning company can provide that thorough disinfecting treatment to all of your hard surfaces. If you wouldn’t want to literally eat off of your floors, etc. then MAYBE you should put a steam cleaning into your regular maintenance rotation.
Well, you KNEW this one was coming…required equipment compliance inspections. With all of the different agencies tasked with overseeing some aspect of dental office regulatory compliance, it may feel as if EVERYONE has their finger in the pie! And, they’re ALL focused on you. Hmmmm…
From your X-ray machine calibration and radiation inspections, to digital “films” reused for dental images, to sterilization appliances, to oxygen supply systems, to hi-tech emergency equipment such as AEDs, fire suppressants and CO2 monitors to the basics like first aid kits, drug security and patient file protection, a LOT of required maintenance can simply fall off your radar! Best case? You get a fine and time to correct the situation. Worst case? Consequences that would make anything you could imagine pale in comparison – like losing your practice, bankruptcy or even jail! YIKES!!!
So while you’re in that “breath of fresh air” cleaning mode, just extend your activities into the office. And if you need some guidance in compiling YOUR spring cleaning checklist, you can always reach out to our experienced compliance team here at WellDent Compliance. After all, if your office isn’t “spring cleaned” is it REALLY clean and ready?!?