As we start to prepare our dental practices for reopening, now, more than ever, is the time to begin implementing new routines for disinfecting materials that our patients will be touching and seeing.
If you use software for paperless forms such as YAPI or are currently looking into the process of going paperless, you most likely use or are in the process of using iPads.
iPads are hygienic and spread fewer germs than traditional pen and paper, but with the spread of the novel coronavirus, frequent disinfection of all electronic forms is a must.
We know you are already taking all precautions to ensure your practice is properly sanitized, but taking extra measures with devices that patients will be touching will make both your patients and team feel safer and help control the spread of germs and cross-contamination.
Use Disinfectant Wipes to Clean Your Electronic Forms
Here are the key takeaways we have for you from Apple Support for properly disinfecting and cleaning iPads:
- Don’t use aerosol sprays, bleaches, or abrasives.
- Do not put sprays directly onto the surface of your iPads.
- Instead, use wipes, containing at least 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Clorox Disinfecting Wipes work well.
- Gently wipe the nonporous surfaces.
- Be sure to disinfect the entire iPad, not just your screens!
- Be careful when wiping around openings!
- Do not submerge your iPads directly into cleaning agents.
- Avoid using bleach, fabric, and leather softeners.
Taking the Next Step:
During this trying and confusing time, we may find that our patients are more nervous and scared than ever before. When it comes to touching and using devices in the practice, some may feel apprehensive. As healthcare providers, it’s our job and duty to let our patients know that they are in safe hands.
Here are some ideas, tips, and suggestions that you can take for showing and telling your patients that their health and well-being are your number one priority, all while aiding them to use your great technology.
Show and Tell Your Patients You Care:
Actions speak louder than words. If your patients can actively see that you are disinfecting the electronic forms they are going to use, they will feel more at ease and less apprehensive when touching and using devices other than their own.
Create an iPad pick up and drop off station for the front office. Make sure that it’s visible to each patient in the waiting room. Have a selected team member in the front office sanitize and disinfect each iPad after a patient’s use and have a different team member hand a cleaned iPad to patients checking in. It is a good idea to have multiple trays if have more than one iPad circulating in the front office. This will help prevent cross-contamination.
Now that you are actively showing your patients you care, tell them. This is the time to let each patient know that their health is your number one priority at your practice. Many patients are simply unaware that prior to the pandemic, we have already gone through training on sterilization and disinfection. So take this opportunity to kindly let them know that. This will help them to feel safe and earn your trust.
Positive Reinforcement on Social Media:
For patients who have yet to return to the practice, take this as an opportunity to be more active on your social media channels in hopes of reaching them. Share your enthusiasm about the practice reopening while mentioning the extra measures you are taking to remain as safe as possible.
Tip: Subscribe to our Newsletter at the bottom of our site. At the beginning of May, we will send you some helpful premade posts you can use on your Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Send an eBlast with YAPI:
If you use YAPI for patient communication you can take advantage of sending an e-blast to your patients when your practice reopens in addition to sending other valuable patient-facing resources. Join our Fans of YAPI Group on Facebook and stay tuned. We will be sharing some helpful new templates soon for you to use.
Stay safe and positive. Thank you for taking the time to read over our advice and suggestions. There is more to come.
Regards,
The YAPI Marketing Team
