Of the many concerns for patient safety dental professionals have, foreign body aspiration or ingestion can prove one of the most problematic. From not yet fully placed restorations such as crowns and bridges to tools like drill bits, endodontic files and more, there have been countless reported cases of inhaled or swallowed objects.
Should a patient aspirate or ingest these items, they can become lodged in the gastrointestinal or respiratory tract, leading to a plethora of serious medical complications. Once an object has been inhaled or swallowed, practitioners and patients must invest time and money in imaging and emergency care in order to properly determine the extent of the issue and ascertain a remedy. Given the very real risks of morbidity and liability for malpractice and negligence on top of the aforementioned expenses, guarding against foreign body aspiration and ingestion is a must for any practice.
Factors that can lead to the inhalation or swallowing of foreign objects are myriad. Clinicians often work with tiny instruments under slippery conditions in spaces with limited working room and lighting. Likewise, while the supine position makes it easier for clinicians to treat patients, it also makes the patient’s airway more vulnerable to accidental aspiration and ingestion due to gravity. Should a patient move unexpectedly or the practitioner look away from their work even for a moment, if unprotected, the patient could easily take in a foreign body.
Thankfully there are precautions a clinician can take to protect their patients and practice from the dangers of accidental aspiration and ingestion. In addition to thoroughly inspecting all instruments and materials for quality before treatment and maintaining safety protocols throughout, a barrier should be put in place to guard the patient’s airway. The Isolite® system by Zyris™ is ideally suited for this task as it acts as a safety shield not only for the patient’s tongue and cheek tissue but for the airway as well. When put in place, the Isolite mouthpiece completely obturates the entrance to the throat, mitigating the risk of inhaling or swallowing any foreign body. This ultimately promotes a comfortable, safe working environment for both you and your patient.
To learn more about Isolite systems and purchase product solutions for your practice, visit Zyris' website.