Room Prep & Example Preparation Checklist
Multimedia Content: Videos and Podcast
Here is a calm, meditative video showing Kat run through her room prep ritual. Here's the list again while you watch:
Example Preparation Checklist:
Preparing your room and your equipment frees up time and mental bandwidth for you do your best. It’s the secret to consistently great performance. Every practice is different and regulations vary. Use this sample list to help you think about all of the prep items you might need to do. Do what it takes to let you focus on taking care of the patient without distractions.
Daily Preparation Prior to Hygiene shift
Arrive early.Preparing yourself and your op is “me time,” and it’s worth it.
Give yourself 30 minutes prior to your first patient to get the clinical room ready for the day.
Bring the clinical chair down, tidy up the counter, and straighten the computer screens. Wipe down all counter surfaces, keyboard, and markers, the hygiene trolley, all switches, motors, cables and hoses, saliva ejector and triplex syringe.
Wipe down X-ray unit and all drawers and handles. Wipe down the entire clinical chair, including switches and arm rests.
Wipe down overhead light and check the plastic cover for cleanliness. This is the first thing that patient sees laying down, and it catches their notice often as you treat them. A smudged or dirty light cover is like a dirty water glass at a restaurant.
Wipe down patient hand mirror and all safety glasses.
Prepare a cup on the counter for rinsing with facial tissue for patient use.
Dip saliva ejector in rubbing alcohol and place in slow suction hose. Cover ejector with a disposable sleeve.
Place a disposable sleeve on intraoral camera.
Prepare clinical gloves and mask on the tray.
Sharpen you instruments prior to clinical use. Use PDT/Gleason guide to sharpen instruments and check their sharpness with a sharpening stick.
Sterilize instruments after sharpening for clinical use.
Review your day. Audit each patient’s chart noting any allergies, contraindications to treatment, outstanding treatment, and need to update x-rays.
Review patients' personal notes to refamiliarize yourself with their personal life, families, hobbies, recent trips etc.
Make notes in your schedule as needed.