[Management of risks linked to the sterilization of reusable medical devices in dentistry]

The aim of this study was to analyze the risks associated with the sterilization process for reusable medical devices (RMD) in stomatology, by applying the FMECA method, with a view to implementing the necessary corrective and preventive actions necessary to secure this process.

The study, which was descriptive, took place between June and July 2024 in the medicine and dental surgery department of our hospital and concerned the moist heat sterilization process of RMD. The study began by defining its scope and the formation of the work team, followed by the functional analysis of the process, the identification of the failure modes (FM), the definition of the rating scales, the rating of the FM and finally the calculation of the criticality index and the development of the action plan.

A total of 64 FM were identified, including 14 of high criticality, 16 of medium criticality and 34 of low criticality. The pre-disinfection and cleaning stage generated the most failures, particularly those of high criticality. High criticality FM were subject to a set of corrective and preventive actions. A new map of the sterilization process highlighting a 'forward march' flow has been proposed.

Our FMECA made it possible to highlight several FM and propose an appropriate action plan. A second FMECA would still be interesting to evaluate the reduction in the overall criticality of our process.