ICT Blog

Kelly M. Pyrek has served as editor in chief of Infection Control Today magazine for the past seven years, and manages a number of ICT-affiliated print and online offerings, including the Infection Control Education Institute, the ICT Conference on Professional Development, the ICT Series of Webinars, and GermStop. Recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists as an award-winning practitioner, she has served as an editorial manager, editor, and writer for newspapers, magazines, wire services, and public information bureaus for 25 years. She is a graduate of the Universityof Southern California.

Sterile Processing Professionals Salute Their Profession, Peers

October 7, 2011 Comments

Posted in Blog, Sterile Processing Department (SPD), Sterile Processing, Disinfection & Sterilization

The National Healthcare Central Service & Sterile Processing Week is slated for Oct. 9-15, 2011. We asked members of the sterile processing community to share their thoughts with us for the occasion, and while workload prevented many individuals from responding, here are two submissions I'd like to share with you.

Sterile Processing Heroes

The "Stellar People Downstairs" at Bay Pines/Fort Myers VA work 24/7/365 to ensure our patients have what they need when they need it. Processing of reusable medical equipment (RME) is complex, requiring staff to have more knowledge than ever. Stepping up to the challenge has not been easy but even though it isn’t mandatory, Bay Pines SPD staff is currently 100 percent VA certified in sterile processing, with over half also holding dual certification with IAHCSMM or CBSPD. Our SPD staff care enough about our nations veterans to take his or her practice to the next level: the level of expert!

-- Sheryl Eder, RN, MSN, CNOR, CRCST

SPD Nurse Educator/Training Specialist

Bay Pines VA Health Care System, Bay Pines, Fla.

------

Why I Love Working in Central Supply

Central supply is an ever evolving environment. The reward comes from knowing I am contributing to the well-being of every patient in our hospital. The challenge is learning how to clean, inspect, package, and sterilize highly complex instruments and equipment. Central Supply allows me to explore exciting developments in infection prevention, reprocessing, sterilization, and patient care issues. I enjoy working with many differing issues and trying to find the best solution that will work for everyone. Central Supply leaves me feeling like I have contributed something meaningful to the patients, and their loved ones, by doing what I love best.

-- Sally Achatz, RN, CNOR

Director, Central Supply

Marquette General Hospital, Marquette, Mich.