Effective decontamination is the cornerstone of safety in the dental practice. Not only must the right equipment be employed, but it must also be used and maintained correctly to ensure optimum results and operational efficiency.
Both HTM 01-05 and SHTM 01-05 provide a baseline for the types of equipment required and the associated testing, servicing and validation of each. They outline general maintenance guidance and mandate the validation of specific equipment.
However, these are not the only documents that must be adhered to for compliant decontamination in dental practices. All must also comply with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR), which are applicable to any piece of equipment in any industry that contains a pressure system.
What are the PSSR?
The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) 2000 demand that all equipment incorporating pressure systems must undergo annual testing and certification to ensure their safety. This includes any systems “compromising of one or more pressure vessels of rigid construction, like autoclaves”. Dental practice owners are responsible for keeping all the machines in their practices in good condition, protecting both patients and staff from the potential hazards associated with faulty equipment.
To comply, owners must arrange for equipment testing by a qualified professional who is sufficiently skilled specifically in evaluating pressure systems. Often an equipment engineer, this individual will determine whether the autoclave is safe for ongoing use and has a written scheme and a valid signed report of examination. These documents must be stored as evidence of PSSR compliance, detailing the specific parts of the pressure system inspected, their condition and any necessary repairs or modifications that were made.
The written scheme and report of examination are required as part of the annual validation of every autoclave. It is a legality for both practice compliance and insurance.
Compliance with PSSR is necessitated as part of the annual validation of autoclaves. This is different from servicing. An annual service is a check of the machine to ensure it is in good working order and is fit for use from a mechanical and electrical perspective. Software upgrades as well as minor repairs can be conducted to prevent the development of any major issues later down the line. Though not a legal requirement, regular servicing will keep the autoclave operating correctly, optimising workflow efficiency and reducing the risk of malfunctions, breakdowns and the associated surgery downtime – saving the practice time and money in the long-run.
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations compliance follows a formal process whereby a specifically trained engineer has evaluated the equipment and certified it safe for continued use. Non-compliance with PSSR can lead to significant safety risks for patients and staff, with substantial further consequences for the practice. Regulatory authorities can impose a range of financial penalties, with further actions possible should an accident or injury have occurred among patients or staff as a result of practice negligence in this area.
Achieving PSSR compliance
With just a few simple steps, every dental practice can ensure their compliance with PSSR:
- Understand your responsibilities by familiarising yourself with the regulations and how they apply to your practice
- Safely store your written scheme and report of examination to demonstrate your compliance
- Organise annual inspections and certification with a specifically-trained engineer
- Train your whole team to safely and competently use, test and maintain your decontamination equipment
All of the above can be more easily achieved by working with a trusted provider of high-quality decontamination equipment, servicing and support, such as Eschmann. Not only does this afford confidence that the equipment itself will function effectively for maximum safety standards, but it also provides access to ongoing advice and guidance from experts.
The safe side of the law
Adherence to PSSR is a legal requirement for all dental practices with an autoclave. It is in place to protect both patients and staff from harm. Make sure you're compliant for the year ahead.
For more information visit www.eschmann.co.uk