Fig. 4 — Hu–Friedy Signature Series™ Procedure Tubs
Click here to enlarge imageIdea 5: Being tubby is a good thing ... in sterilization
Of course, procedure tubs provide an efficient method of storing and using individual procedure consumables. These portable operatory drawers allow staff to store and transport consumable materials by procedure type (Fig. 4). The tubs can be color–coded to match the designated sterilization cassette rails when they are used in conjunction with cassettes, and the labor savings is compounded. This idea, along with the tub and cassette(s), provides for the implementation of the four principles described above.
Idea 6: All upper cabinets in sterilization cabinetry should have translucent (smoked) glass doors
Due to the heavy traffic in this area, a “doorless” central sterilization area is recommended. With doorless sterilization areas, patients are likely to view the area on their travel to or from treatment. To portray a clean and orderly office, place dark (smoked) glass on the upper cabinet doors so that soiled/used trays or cassettes can be placed in the cabinets. The patients will see only an orderly sterilization center and the assistants will be able to determine whether soiled cassettes/trays need attention by looking directly into the dark glass of the cabinets.
Idea 7: Avoid the ‘dental two–step' in sterilization
Regardless of the shape of the office's (anticipated or planned) sterilization area, there should be a four–foot–wide aisle in sterilization that allows two people to pass each other without turning to avoid collision. Dental offices typically attempt to save space by skimping on hallway space, but the sterilization area is the most trafficked area of the office, and adequate space for personnel movement maximizes efficiency. Create aisles that accommodate the staff traffic in the office.
Idea 8: The sterilization area sink needs two faucets/ water sources
A sink should be large enough (24 inches wide and 9 inches deep) for two assistants to use simultaneously. The sink should also have two, 12–inch curved faucets or two water sources for the assistants to work side by side. It is not efficient to have staff members in line waiting to use a $150 sink. An additional faucet costs approximately $80 (during construction), and the average office life is 17 years ... you do the math. Labor is minimized in sterilization when there is adequate equipment to support the staff.
Idea 9: Let there be light ... under the countertops
Adequate lighting brightens the staff's mood and increases efficiency. Lighting of the cabinetry counter space and the entire sterilization area can be accomplished with task lighting under the upper cabinets and recessed ceiling lighting using parabolic lenses. Ideally, 150 to 200 foot candles of light should be provided on countertop surfaces for effective, but not irritating, illumination of workstations.
Idea 10: Sterilization area entrance should not be more than 30 feet from the most distant operatory
The sterilization area should be centrally located in relation to the operatories. Ideally, every operatory opening should be within 30 feet of the sterilization area ingress/egress to maximize staff flow, efficiency, and operatory turnover. In large practices where this dimensional principle cannot be employed, the use of satellite sterilization areas should be considered.
There you have it: 10 ideas that can save labor and expense, dropping money to the bottom line of the practice's income statement. Perhaps you can use one idea or all 10 tomorrow, but each concept has been tried and tested in thousands of practices across the country for the past 30 years. They are not just ideas, but principles that have increased the productivity and reduced the physical stress of tens of thousands of dental staff.
Mark Tholen, DDS, MBA, is the former CEO of T.H.E. Design, which designed more than 3,000 dental offices. He is also the author of “A Guide to Designing the Elegant Dental or Medical Office ... The Largest Marketing Tool of Your Career,” available at Amazon.com. Dr. Tholen can be contacted at [email protected].