As the seasons change and the temperature drops, cases of contracting and spreading influenza viruses rise. Although the flu circulates year round, its activity increases in the fall and winter months for many different reasons, including lower vitamin D levels and increased indoor crowding.
Healthcare workers, especially those working in dental offices, are highly susceptible to the spread of seasonal illnesses. The nature of dental work creates higher exposure risks to respiratory droplets and other infectious materials. Learn how to protect healthcare workers from seasonal illnesses and prevent your dental office’s staff and patients from common infections.
Offer and Encourage Seasonal Vaccinations
Vaccinations are one of the most effective preventative measures against viruses. Vaccines train immune systems, allowing bodies to naturally reinforce their protective and healing responses. Offering and encouraging seasonal vaccinations to your dental staff increases their protection, mitigates spread and contractions, and reduces the effects of the virus. Whether you offer onsite vaccination, referrals, or discounted and free vaccinations at your workplace, boosting your staff’s immune system and getting them ready for flu season decreases infection risks.
Enforce the Use of Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays an important role in healthcare workplace safety. Gloves, masks, and scrubs form a barrier between healthcare workers and their surroundings, protecting them from coming into contact with harmful substances. Enforcing the use of PPE for your dental staff ensures your team of healthcare workers shields themselves from contacting and contracting viruses.
Establish Clear Sick Leave Policies
Isolation contains the virus in a localized and controllable area, reducing the risk of spreading. Encouraging your staff to take leave and stay at home when sick or showing flu-like symptoms keeps the virus out of your dental office. Establish clear and accommodating sick leave policies, like flexible and paid time off, and encourage your staff to stay at home when infected to decrease the spread.
Educate Staff on Infection Control Etiquette
Education and awareness affect people’s habits and actions. Teaching your staff the dangers of infections and the best health and safety practices ensures everyone on your team implements proper infection control etiquette into their workplace practices. From covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing to frequently sanitizing hands, your staff can take many safety precautions to prevent the rise and spread of the flu.
Gamma Compliance’s dental office OSHA training covers infection control basics and protection in the workplace. OSHA’s protocols educate healthcare workers on the dangers of spreading deadly diseases and offer the best prevention and protection methods.
Protect healthcare workers in your dental office from seasonal illnesses with these four workplace safety tips. Don’t let seasonal illnesses affect your workplace and all involved.