Color Coding Management with Zirc
Many considerations should be reviewed when deciding on a system for procedure setups and reprocessing of contaminated instruments in a dental practice. Safety of course is a top priority, but also efficiency and productivity are high on the list of ways to make our jobs easier and less stressful for all team members. Zirc has developed a system that not only provides safety in accordance with OSHA and CDC but also improves efficiency, productivity, is simplistic, all of which contributes to a value system and product.1
Colors can be a great way to enhance mood. Zirc offers a wide range of colors to choose from when designing a color-coding management system. Simply pick the color you would like to coordinate with the certain procedure setups or clinicians. Adding color to a dental setting can help make it more enjoyable for the team members as well as the patients.
Ideally, a central sterilization center is the best place to store your procedure setups, however, if there is limited space storing them in treatment rooms is also an option. Simply put together the procedure set up in accordance with the color chosen to coordinate with that procedure. For instance, crown and bridge procedure setups may be coded blue, endo procedure setups may be coded green, and so on. This makes it easy to spot procedure setups when preparing for the next patient and saves time by preventing clinicians from needing to sift through procedure setups.
Additionally, instrument color-code management is easily achieved with color-coded rings and tape. This can be very valuable in the hygiene procedure setups as every hygienist prefers different instruments.
Most importantly, the Zirc color-coding management system is compliant with OSHA and CDC Bloodborne Pathogen Standards (29 CFR 19210.1030), which require contaminated instruments to be transported in containers that are puncture-resistant, labeled, or color-coded, and leakproof on the sides and bottom.2 Cassettes, loose instruments, and bracket trays are not sufficient for transporting contaminated instruments per the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard. If you are utilizing these methods, now is the time to improve your infection control measures and the safety of the dental team.
Does your practice use the appropriate containers to transport contaminated instruments? What system do you currently use to make the day run smoothly? Are there ways to improve the efficiency of your practice? Do you think having a color-coding management system would be beneficial?
Zirc. Take the Stress out of Organization Color Code Guide. Retrieved from https://www.zirc.com/application/files/1215/0057/9379/2017-Color-Code_Guide-Optimized.pdf
United States Department of Labor. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA Laws and Regulations. Standards -29 CFR. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber
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