Universal Precautions and HCC Patients’ Rights
Health care facilities providing services in which there is a risk of skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact to human blood or other potentially infectious materials must practice universal precautions. Universal Precautions means the prevention of disease transmission through the use of infection control practices with all patients. The HCC Dental Education Clinic complies with infection control practices required by the Maryland State Department of Health, which were adopted by Maryland law, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MOSH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. The following infection control practices include, but are not limited to, those required by the Universal Precautions rule and are used to prevent transmission of bloodborne pathogens to patients and treating staff: • Appropriate use of protective barriers, including gloves for hand contact, masks, gowns, laboratory coats, and protective eyewear or face shields are used for procedures having the potential of creating a spray or splatter of blood or other potentially infectiousmaterials. • Gloves, when required, are changed and hands are washed after each patient. • Heat stable, non-disposable instruments requiring sterilization that are contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials are heat sterilized after treatment of eachpatient. • Precautions are taken to prevent injuries caused by needles, syringes, and other contaminated sharp objects are discarded in puncture-resistant containers. • Surfaces and equipment contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials that need not be sterilized are cleaned and disinfected after treatment of each patient. Disposable coverings may be used on some surfaces to prevent contamination. • Infectious waste is placed in containers labeled with the biohazard symbol, impervious to moisture, and of sufficient strength to prevent expulsion. • Containers of infectious waste are stored in a secure area prior to treatment and final disposal. • Patient care staff receives training on infection control. The infection control procedures listed, and other that are not readily observable, protect you from disease transmission. Maryland law requires that health care facilities be committed to appropriate use of Universal Precautions. Any deviation from this commitment should be brought to the attention of the Dental Hygiene Program Coordinator at this facility. If you are not satisfied with the explanation of universal precautions provided by this facility, you may file an official complaint with the Maryland State Department of Health by writing to the following address:
Maryland Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene 201 W. Preston St. Baltimore, MD 21201 410-767-6500/toll free 1-877-463-3464 Email dhmh.healthmd@maryland.gov.
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