Breach causes infection risk
‘‘We have very strict sterilisation protocols and very experienced staff, so it is disappointing that we have had a breach, but we are focused on patient welfare.’’ Vikki Andrews, operations general manager
Improperly sterilised dental equipment has put more than a dozen patients of a Manawatu dental clinic at risk of infection.
Lumino sent out letters to patients who visited its Palmerston North clinic on February 9, warning them of the risk.
Operations general manager Vikki Andrews said there was a ‘‘breach of sterilisation protocol with non-invasive dental instruments’’.
While they had been washed and sterilised, they had not gone through an autoclave.
Autoclaves use heat and steam to sterilise, and are used by medical professionals as well as tattoo and piercing artists.
Andrews said a number of people had the instruments used on them before the breach, so Lumino was getting them tested for infectious diseases.
‘‘Their medical records tell us they have no infectious diseases, but we wanted to test those people to be sure.’’
Those results would be ready in a week, at which time the 14 patients who were at risk could get more answers, she said.
A review was ongoing, but Lumino wanted to act as soon as possible.
‘‘We have very strict sterilisation protocols and very experienced staff, so it is disappointing that we have had a breach, but we are focused on patient welfare,’’ Andrews said.
Lumino clinical advisor Dr Cathrine Lloyd said no other Lumino practices were affected.
‘‘We have communicated with all staff to ensure they continue to remain fully aware and compliant with sterilisation protocols and processes.’’
The scare comes on the back of another in Pukekohe in January, when faulty equipment put about 2500 child at risk of infectious diseases.
Children who had procedures requiring the use of compressed air, a drill, extraction or suction at Pukekohe Intermediate Dental Clinic between September 13, 2016 to January 23 could be at risk, the Counties Manukau District Health Board said last month.
New Zealand Dental Association chief executive Dr David Crum said he had no first-hand knowledge of what had taken place at Lumino.
However, the association’s code of practice clearly described the standards dental clinics were required to uphold when cleaning, packaging, labelling and sterilising instruments to ensure patients were kept safe.
‘‘Standards such as these are mandatory. Dentists annually apply for their annual practicing certificate to allow them to practice, and can be audited regarding these and many other aspects of dental practice at any time,’’ Crum said.