Don’t put your patients at risk this holiday season

The holiday season is upon us, and that means your staff members are likely thinking of ways to make your practice more festive. While there’s nothing wrong with adding a little holiday cheer to the office, you have to be careful when it comes to decorating.

What’s the best way to celebrate the season without putting patients at risk? OSAP recommends keeping your decorations in nonclinical areas. The reception area, waiting room, doors and windows are great places to add decorative touches. Consider adding holiday-themed stickers to toothpaste samples, or ordering festive scrubs to help your team get into the holiday spirit even more.

Whatever you do, OSAP Director Therese Long said you have to remember patients come first. “In our enthusiastic attempts to capture the holiday spirit, we cannot forget that fun shouldn’t compromise infection prevention. Bugs don’t celebrate the holidays, and overzealous decorating can contribute to unintended disease transmission opportunities.”

Your patients are your practice. Without them, where would you be? You have to know the best ways to attract them to your practice, get them to accept treatment and make them happy, life-long patients.

That’s where we can help. Check back regularly for tips on how to keep your patients happy, healthy and loyal.

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