Infection control

[Dustbug10]

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Has everyone felt that this has been emphasized enough at your clinic? I have not put a whole lot of thought into it. At the university clinic as well as my off-campus site, my preceptors went above and beyond. Insert earphones were replaced, new scapula tips were used and washed immediately, the supra-aural headphones were rubbed down with rubbing alcohol pads, etc. I am not going to incriminate anyone or destroy their reputation, but I have shadowed at a location where none of this was done. She used the same tip for every otoscopic exam. The suction bowl for cerumen cleaning was finally cleaned for what seemed to be the first time in months judging from the lingering smell. I looked in an ear that appeared radioactive green almost due to an ear infection. I finally had to ask if the tip should be changed. Had I not suggested, I'm not sure it would have been. Anyone have any stories?

 

[rEliseMe]

EUGH! No, I have not run into this and I am very glad. Some people I've shadowed weren't as diligent with washing their hands, but not in a massively uncleanly way. I hope I don't have to worry about correcting a supervisor!

 

[BigAl]

You might have an ethical issue on your hands buddy, ASHA code of ethics: Principle of Ethics I

PS thats just plain ol' nasty

 

[SoCalAud]

I was seating here eating a bowl of cereal and was NOT expecting to read this kind of info. 🙁

hahaha!

If I were you, I'd clean the tools and trash each plastic tip after use regardless of what your supervisor says. If he or she has a problem with that, which I don't know if that'll happen, just directly point out the Code of Ethics from ASHA or another source.

That's just plain wrong

 

[cidanu]

I think the level of precautions taken varies at each clinic, although there are limits!!!!

Cerumen is not a potentially infectious material, but it can contain blood which is.

In general, my clinic does not lean towards the super medical model of gloves, lab coats, and goggles. It's part of the philosophy of our clinic. But we do take less overt and necessary precautions, such as sterilizing instruments, using throw-away tips and probes, headphone covers, & insert earphones (thrown away after each use).

For example at my clinic, we don't typically wear gloves when handling hearing aids or earmolds, but I know some audiologists do. There are some things gloves are required for, like cerumen removal, but otherwise if we wear gloves, we are supposed to explain to the client why we are wearing gloves (eg. a cut on my finger).

 

[DrAudio]

Correct your supervisor. That's absurd. Some people look at sanitation as a way to skimp on costs a little bit but specula are relatively cheap. Besides, it makes the clinic look terrible from the patient's eyes.

I've been through clinics that are like that unfortunately and it made me want to smack someone.

We were developing sanitation methods at my last clinic where we went a little over the top but we were also trying to determine what was most effective. Did testing on Sporox 2 vs. Cavicide and effects on stainless steel instruments, tested ultrasonic cleaners, had an autoclave, etc.... Of course, we had tons of instruments as well so there was never a need to reuse before you had the time to sterilize.

I'm not saying it should to be the above extreme, but there is an intermediary point that can be met.

-D