Batch Control Identification (BCI) is an essential infection risk prevention method implemented and enforced in the dental industry. The process of BCI links a surgical item, or pack of surgical instruments, to a sterilisation cycle, proving that these items have been effectively sterilised of any harmful pathogens with verifiable performance data. This process is essential for all critical items and prefered for semi-critical items used in routine dentistry.
In accordance with Australian Dentist Association (ADA) regulations, reusable medical instruments must be labelled prior to sterilisation. This label must identify the contents and batch control data. A BCI number is a unique combination of numbers or a barcode that combines the date, cycle and steam steriliser number. Batch information could also be documented using manual pack records via non-soluble markers that can tolerate the sterilisation process.
This process often involves hand taken notes or printing and attaching labels to the instrument set. However, the W&H Lisa Autoclave has released groundbreaking automation steps, which improves how quickly and effectively this task can be performed.
The W&H Lisa Is Revolutionising the Instrument Traceability Process
The W&H Lisa Autoclave is leading the way for automated instrument traceability, thanks to the EliSense information system and powerful interface. This new function offers incredible, complete traceability that can track down a single instrument or instrument kit.
The Australian Dentist Association (ADA) implemented guidelines that state a dental practice must retain printouts from their sterilisers for a minimum of seven years. Thermal printouts are known to fade and become illegible over time, and so operators and dentists need to photocopy them or rely on digital storage. Ink printouts do not fade but are still prone to other damages (e.g. water damage).
The W&H Lisa steriliser’s “EliTrace” system records the sterilisation status of an instrument by its serial number. Item information can easily be entered by the Lisa touchpad or in the W&H app.
For the first time, it is possible to track single instruments or kits without extra software. Combine that with the W&H LisaSafe printer, another popular apparatus used to smooth the instrument traceability process. When scanned, the barcode saves the instrument’s information to the patient’s record, thus linking the procedure and patient with a documented sterilisation cycle. These two features significantly reduce the monotonous monitoring and transcribing times. W&H Lisa sterilisers include integrated data logging, and W&H’s LisaWARE software retains a permanent digital record.
The W&H Lisa Automatic steriliser’s built-in data logger records the details of every cycle and stores it on a designated storage system. Still, it should be noted that W&H recommend careful manual logging to ensure all requirements are met.
The newest Lisa and certain Lara sterilisers have built-in artificial intelligence that will remind you about required test cycles, when to replace the multidem demineralised cartridge and how to optimise drying cycles.
W&H are the producers of the only sterilisers that feature air leak detectors, meaning a vacuum test is only needed once a week, instead of the standard once a day. This improves the machine’s life expectancy and optimises energy consumption.
Want One Of Your Own?
If you want the best in autoclave technology, you can’t go past the W&H Lisa. Dental Depot is Queensland’s most trusted provider of leading dental equipment brands. We can transport and install all purchases to your clinic. Contact us for more information on your next purchase.
