Decontamination in primary care dental practices - Gov.uk

Decontamination: Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 – Decontamination in primary care dental practices (2013 edition)62– the required amount of any chemicaladditive specified by the manufacturer hasbeen added; and– the water in the tank is at the specifiedoperating temperature.• Carry out the manufacturer’s recommendedstart-up procedure. This will normally include aperiod of operation to eliminate dissolved gasesfrom the solution in the bath (the degassingprocedure).• Using strips of adhesive tape across the top ofthe bath, suspend nine strips of the preparedfoil in the bath in a 3 × 3 grid. Ensure that therolled bottom end of each foil strip is no morethan 10 mm above, but not touching, thebottom of the bath.• Operate the bath for the predeterminedexposure time. This varies typically between30 seconds and 10 minutes depending on thepower rating of the ultrasonic transducers.• Remove the strips from the bath, blot-dry andexamine. The strips can be filed conveniently bysticking them to a sheet of plain paper using atransparent adhesive tape.• Drain the bath and clean to remove debris oferoded aluminium foil.Reproduced by kind permission of the Scottish DentalClinical Effectiveness ProgrammeResults and interpretation15.10 When the foil strips are inspected, the areas thatshow maximum erosion should be at similarpositions on all nine foils and each should beeroded to a similar extent.15.11 On re-testing the extent of erosion, the erosionpattern should remain consistent. If the zones oferosion are markedly different on the nine foils,it indicates poor uniformity of cleaning. Pooruniformity of cleaning might be due to failure ofone or more of the transducers that produce theultrasonic vibration in the base of the bath.15.12 A significant change between tests indicates adeterioration or failure in the transducers. If thereis no erosion, this indicates complete failure. Inthe event of any of these findings, withdraw theultrasonic cleaner from use and send it for repairor replace it.Wand meters15.13 Ultrasonic energy meters are now available tomonitor efficiency and operating frequency ofultrasonic baths. They are much quicker and moreconvenient than the classic foil ablation test butshould be used with care. Precise positioning of thewand will need to be noted in order to make thetest repeatable.Safety checksWeekly checks15.14 The User should check the following beforeproceeding:• Examine the door seals.• Check the security and performance of thedoor safety devices.15.15 Where the equipment possesses a pressure vessel,the following checks should be performed:• Ensure safety valves and other pressure-limitingdevices are free to operate.• Carry out any other checks required by theCompetent Person (Pressure Systems) or thewritten scheme of examination.Yearly checks15.16 The Competent Person (Decontamination) orservice engineer should conduct a series of safetychecks before proceeding. Advice on the yearlyprogramme of safety checks may be sought fromthe Authorising Engineer (Decontamination).15.17 The validation checks and tests may be used as abasis for yearly safety checks, paying particularattention to those factors affecting safety andparticularly those which may have changed sincethe previous annual safety check or validation test.15.18 The Competent Person (Decontamination)/serviceengineer should ensure verification of the adequacyand safe connection of engineering services.