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SEATTLE – A deficiency in dental sterilization procedures in school clinics in the Seattle area has led more than 1,200 students to potentially be exposed to unsterilized equipment.
According to Neighborhood Health, the sterilization deficit was discovered on March 4th.
What happened?
Staff reported that some dental handpieces from Neighbourcare's portable dental program had been disinfected but were not completely heat sterilized, as required by Neighbourcare Health's policy. A handpiece is a tool intended to contain dental instruments, such as a strawberry or a polishing cup, and is used during cleaning and filling procedures.
This problem of sterilization of the handpiece only appeared in Neighcare Care's school dental clinics. The incident did not affect patients seen at other dental clinics in Neighbourcare Health, or patients seen for medical care only in school clinics.
Neighborcare can not determine dates or appointments that may have been affected. This is why the clinic sent letters to 1,250 patients seen in school clinics by March 4.
The period in which Vashon Island School Dental Patients were potentially affected was between September 2017 and March 2018.
What's the risk?
During the above-mentioned period, the handpieces were cleaned with CaviCide germicidal disinfectant, which kills the pathogens associated with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, but some handpieces Have not been sterilized in the autoclave / heat. All other instruments used during the dental procedures were correctly sterilized.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Neighbourcare that there has never been any documented transmission of the disease by a dental handpiece.
"Based on all of these factors and the way handpieces are used, we think the risk of infection is very low," Neighbourcare said.
What is the response from Neighbourcare Health?
Neighbourcare says it has sent notification letters to patients who may have been affected by this incident to warn them of possible exposure and explain to them how they can be screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. This screening is provided free of charge to patients in the Immediate Clinic Clinic, which is a third party with whom Neighborcare Health has a contract.
"We are also willing to help follow-up patients if necessary," Neighbourcare said. "We are sincerely sorry for the disarray caused by this incident to our patients, their families and our partners. As a community health center deeply committed to the health of our patients and the communities we have served for more than 50 years, we work to understand in a transparent way what has happened, the real risk that patients face. potentially affected and how we can ensure that this incident will not happen again. "
Schools where Neighbourcare Health provided school-based dental services and patients could be affected
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