Julie E. Williamson is the communications director/editor for the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM).

Julie Williamson

The Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) would like to thank every sterile processing (SP) professional for the heart, soul, integrity, and tireless effort they put into their roles and responsibilities each day. Through their dedication and commitment to quality and best practices, health care customers and patients can count on clean, sterile, and well-functioning instruments and equipment for use in patient care.

Although respect, appreciation, and admiration for all the critical duties that take place within the walls of health care organizations’ sterile processing departments (SPDs) are deserved every day of the year, Sterile Processing Week provides a golden opportunity to formally recognize the profession and all who work in it and give their very best in the name of patient safety and quality customer service. Put simply, without the knowledge, skills, training, and dedication of SP professionals, surgeries and other patient care procedures simply could not occur.

Decades ago, when HSPA (formerly the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management [IAHCSMM]) established the second week of October each year as Sterile Processing Week, we underscored the importance of not letting the week go by without proper fanfare and acknowledgement of the essential work performed by SP professionals. Although many facilities have responded by celebrating with small tokens of appreciation (inexpensive gifts or a potluck meal or pizza party for SP team members), many others admit to doing little or nothing during Sterile Processing Week—a disappointing outcome often blamed on low morale and limited time and budgets. But HSPA would like to remind every facility and SP leader that successful, inspiring, and memorable Sterile Processing Weeks are less about money and more about proper planning and creativity. In fact, some of the very best ways to honor the team and profession cost very little, if nothing at all.

Power of Written Praise, Targeted Education

Personal, handwritten words of appreciation from SP leaders, from team members representing key customer departments, such as the operating room, and from C-suite executives tend to be the most well-received “gifts” for SP professionals. Ice cream socials, snacks, beverages, and small gifts or other monetary tokens of appreciation are certainly appreciated and can play an important part in the weeklong celebration, but they should always be matched with thoughtful words (written or verbal) of gratitude for every member of the team.

Has a technician stepped up in notable ways to mentor other team members? Has someone worked extremely hard to increase their knowledge and professionalism and finally attained certification? Was there an especially challenging process that an employee worked hard to master—or were there any other positive developments (reduced error rates, improved efficiencies, etc) that warrant recognition and praise? Sterile Processing Week is an excellent opportunity to express that gratitude and appreciation while also planting more seeds of encouragement to continue learning, growing, and improving.

Continuing education is at the root of every successful SP professional, and it should always be central to a facility’s Sterile Processing Week planning. SP leaders and educators should contact at least 1 vendor to secure an in-service or more intensive workshop for all team members. If the education cannot be presented for all shifts, the information can still be highlighted, summarized, and shared with everyone in the department. Not only does continuing education (CE) help keep staff members sharp and focused on best practices, but it also provides an opportunity to secure valuable continuing education credits to apply toward recertification.

For those SPDs currently working to ensure department-wide certification of technicians, certain days during Sterile Processing Week can be earmarked for textbook chapter review, answering any questions technicians may have about certain processes or practices, and brushing up on science and SP basics to promote quality and help set employees up for success when they are ready to sit for the certification exam. HSPA’s on-demand podcasts, webinars, and publications (

 magazine, Insights e-newsletter, and other resources) can further boost quality staff education and continuing education credits and can be easily provided for employees on all shifts.

Creating a “wall of fame” is another way to honor employees every week of the year, including Sterile Processing Week. HSPA past president Brian Reynolds, CRMST, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, assistant chief of Sterile Processing Service, West Palm Beach Department of Veterans Affairs, posts employees’ certifications on a dedicated wall so visitors to the department can see them upon entering, while other facilities spotlight their teams’ certifications and other accomplishments in the hospital’s newsletter.

“A congratulatory email is sent out to SPD staff, [operating room] leadership, and the C-suite, and the email goes viral, with everyone chiming in their appreciation for the accomplishments,” explained Jan Prudent, BA, CRCST, CIS, CHL, sterile processing manager at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, who also serves as HSPA’s current secretary-treasurer. “Our CEO seems to always be the first to respond with a heartfelt thank you and uplifting note. Also, one year our facility conducted a market analysis and a raise happened to correspond with SPD week.”

Educating others outside the SPD is among the most important opportunities to tap for Sterile Processing Week. Administrators, other department heads, patients, and the general public often lack an understanding of what SP entails and how the work performed in the department is so vital to patient safety and positive outcomes.

When setting Sterile Processing Week events, HSPA encourages all SPDs to reach beyond the walls of their own department, extending the invitation to all patient care areas, C-suite/administrators, infection preventionists, risk managers, human resources, environmental services, biomedical engineering, facilities maintenance, and others, if appropriate, to tour the SPD. This tour can be in-depth—allowing and encouraging visitors to don appropriate personal protective equipment for each area to see firsthand the hard work and skill sets required—or less involved, with SP team members providing demonstrations or showing a video of the work performed in the SPD (HSPA’s video, “Sterile Processing: The Heart of the Hospital,” offers a glimpse into the world of instrument processing and can be viewed at 

Reaching out to facility executives and other disciplines has paid big
dividends for many SP managers. Prudent’s department, for example, hosts open houses during Sterile Processing Week, complete with light refreshments and “Did you know?” fact sheets that spotlight the various processes through the SPD and the department’s many accomplishments. All senior leaders are invited to attend and celebrate, as are surgeons and other staff members from the operating room and other hospital units. Prudent’s department also promotes a celebration around the governor’s proclamation for Sterile Processing Week, and senior leadership is always involved. A copy of the proclamation and a brief accompanying write-up are included in the hospital’s newsletter. Bulletin boards posted around the facility highlight the SPD’s many accomplishments and contributions to patient safety and spirited educational events are held, such as the “anatomy of an instrument or flexible endoscope” contest, in which operating room staff or senior leadership judge the entries and give inexpensive ribbons to the winners.

However departments choose to celebrate, HSPA advocates scheduling something special for each day of Sterile Processing Week. If the department has historically let the week go by without fanfare, let this be the year to turn that around.

“Get the whole team involved with your celebration—don’t just wait for someone else to celebrate you,” Reynolds said. “Start with celebrating yourselves and when others see that you care and respect what you do, they will want to assist and help celebrate you as well. Planning ahead to do heartfelt gestures for your staff means so much.”

Handwritten notecards and printed awards/certificates are among the easiest, least expensive, and most heartfelt ways to honor SP professionals. The example shown here can be downloaded and printed at no cost by visiting


https://myhspa.org/about/sp-week/sp-week-templates.html

Julie E. Williamson serves as HSPA’s director of communications and editor in chief.

Articles

Sterile Processing Week runs from October 9 through 15. Julie Williamson, of the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association, explains why appreciation goes a long way with this vital group of hospital professionals.

Give Sterile Processing Team, Profession the Recognition They Deserve 

The second Sunday of every October marks the first day of Sterile Processing Week, running this year from October 10 through 16. As is the case every year, well-planned, meaningful, and memorable events should properly celebrate the vital contributions of our nation’s quality-focused professionals in the sterile processing (SP) field who promote patient safety and positive patient outcomes.

The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) has always viewed SP professionals as crucial contributors to patient care, not unlike frontline caregivers. The association also knows that, unfortunately, some facilities still don’t give members of the SP department (SPD) the acknowledgment and appreciation they deserve. In some cases, facility executives may not be aware of Sterile Processing Week because SP leadership hasn’t taken the time to inform them; perhaps, the leadership has never taken the time to meet with those in the C-suite to help explain the difficult and crucial processes that take place within the walls of the SPD—and how those processes affect patient outcomes.

Some SP professionals themselves, in fact, may be unaware that there’s an entire week dedicated to them and their discipline. Some may be new to the profession, and others may not 

have had the opportunity to read IAHCSMM’s many articles, tips, and tributes for them each year. Even some who are aware of the dedicated week each October may lack a celebratory spirit if their SP leaders and interdisciplinary colleagues fail to acknowledge their profession and the hard work it requires. Ultimately, one key point remains: This yearly honorary week should never be overlooked. Regardless of their title or tenure, every SP professional should be recognized for their hard work and dedication to quality customer service and patient safety.

Managers who haven’t already begun their Sterile Processing Week planning still have time to create thoughtful and successful events to honor their teams and get other disciplines involved.

Although celebrating within the department’s walls is a good approach, casting a wider net can yield even more success. In many facilities, SP professionals remain the “unsung heroes,” primarily because members of other health care disciplines often lack understanding of what SP entails and how challenging the jobs are. Sterile Processing Week presents a perfect opportunity to invite other health care professionals to tour the department and see for themselves what it takes to process instruments; they can ask questions and even participate in or contribute to some education. Drawing other disciplines into Sterile Processing Week festivities isn’t just good for SP professionals’ morale; it also can help set the stage for improved interdisciplinary communication and teamwork.

It’s prudent to invite professionals from the surgical services department and other departments the SPD serves to planned Sterile Processing Week events, but it’s equally important to include the facility’s infection preventionists (IPs). IPs are integral members of the extended SPD team and can be among the department’s biggest supporters. SP leaders who haven’t yet forged an effective relationship with their IPs should start establishing a more productive partnership now, before the official Sterile Processing Week kickoff, then carry that momentum into the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Prior to the week’s official start, consider setting up a meeting with the IPs to discuss the SPD’s challenges, successes, and goals, and then work collaboratively to help best address them. Is the SP team operating at a staffing deficiency? Is your instrument inventory poorly matched with the facility’s surgical and procedural volume? Is your processing equipment frequently on the fritz and unable to meet the load demands? Are the standards in the SPD outdated (or missing altogether)? Are continuing education and certification efforts falling short? When IPs are apprised of the struggles SP professionals face, they can help SP leadership build a stronger case with the surgical services department and with facility executives by using essential data to drive positive change.

SP leaders can take a further step by asking their IPs to help honor the week and the SP team by drafting a brief statement about the department’s critical importance to infection prevention and patient safety. They can also assist in sharing impressive SPD-related statistics such as low error rates, the number of instrument sets processed this year so far, and how the department has worked to curtail immediate-use steam sterilization. In addition, they can promote the merits of certification and ongoing education. This information could then be shared with the human resources or public relations teams for inclusion in the facility’s newsletter, or perhaps even shared with local media as a way to educate the general public on the SPD’s essential contributions to patient safety. Asking IPs to participate in a Sterile Processing Week educational session is another great way to strengthen the bond between the 2 disciplines.

Don’t forget the organization’s senior executives, either. These individuals may have only a vague understanding of instrument processing and the importance of SP professionals. They often aren’t aware of the extent of the SPD’s contributions, successes, and sacrifices—and it’s up to SP leaders to show them.

It’s helpful to invite these senior executives “to observe the intricate sequential workflow processes that must be followed to promote positive quality outcomes and patient safety—being sure to explain the steps and processes along the way,” IAHCSMM’s immediate past president, Brian Reynolds, CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL, explained. Reynolds, assistant chief of sterile processing services for the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center in Florida, also stressed the importance of detailing the future goals and objectives of the SPD that align with the health care organization’s mission, vision, and values.

Nearly every year,IAHCSMM hears from SP professionals who lament that limited budgets lead their facilities and managers to overlook Sterile Processing Week. IAHCSMM consistently reminds all SP professionals that some of the best ways to honor the profession and those who are in it require little or no outlay of capital.

Heartfelt words of appreciation from their bosses, interdepartmental colleagues, and top-level executives typically matter more than, say, pizza parties or celebratory trinkets—which are nice add-ons if budgets allow but certainly aren’t a requirement. SP managers should consider carving out time to personally thank each employee for their specific contributions, recognize their strengths and growth areas, and share how they contributed to the team’s success. Leaders can also discuss career ladder opportunities with each employee and initiate a plan to help put them on the path to professional growth.

Other low-cost ways to honor the SP team include hosting departmental tours and fun in-department educational offerings such as vendor-led in-services or trivia-style games that the SP team and other health care professionals who visit the department during SP Week can participate in to broaden their knowledge. Ideally, managers will plan 1 event per shift for every day of SP Week.

Above all, SP leaders should work to remind their technicians and educators that they are valued, appreciated, supported, and heard—not just during Sterile Processing Week, but every day of the year.

IAHCSMM has created a number of free Sterile Processing Week templates and celebration materials (including posters, thank-you cards, certificates of excellence, and Sterile Processing Week departmental tour invitation letters) that can be customized, downloaded/printed, and easily posted/shared. Visit 

https://www.iahcsmm.org/about/sp-week.html

. Note: Templates will be updated for 2021 in the coming weeks.

JULIE E. WILLIAMSON is the communications director/editor for the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management, an Infection Control Today® Strategic Alliance Partner.

Infection preventionists are integral members of the extended sterile processing department team and can be among the department’s biggest supporters.

Celebrate the Critical Role of the Sterile Processing Profession in Infection Prevention

Chicago, Ill.– July 14, 2021 – From June 22-July 12, 2021, members of the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) cast their votes regarding the proposed name change from IAHCSMM to the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), with a tagline of “Professionals Instrumental to Patient Safety.”

Upon reviewing the certified results from the third-party voting service provider Survey & Ballot Systems, the Association’s Board of Directors announces that 82.3% of voting members voted in favor of the name change. A two-thirds “yes” vote by members who voted was needed for the name change to pass.

The switch from IAHCSMM to HSPA will officially take effect January 1, 2022. In the coming weeks and months, the Association will be updating its logo, corporate documents and marketing materials to reflect the new name and will continue communicating with membership throughout the process.

“For many years, discussions took place regarding a formal name change for the Association within the bylaws and articles of incorporation,” said IAHCSMM Executive Director Susan Adams, BA, CAE. “We are excited to adopt a new name that more clearly reflects the profession and will help us better educate others about how Sterile Processing professionals impact patient safety. One thing that will not change is our organization’s commitment to delivering the high level of support and services that our members and certification holders have come to expect over the past 63 years.”

For more information about the name change, visit: 

The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management is the premier association for healthcare Sterile Processing/Central Service professionals and has been in operation since 1958. IAHCSMM provides structural educational opportunities, professional development and a forum for information exchange to more than 38,000 members and certification holders. For more information about the Association, visit 

IAHCSMM Announces Official Membership Voting Results on Name Change ‘Healthcare Sterile Processing Association’ Name Takes Effect Jan. 1, 2022

Chicago, Ill.– June 7, 2021 – Damien Berg, BA, BS, CRCST, AAMIF,will join the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) as vice president, strategic initiatives, on July 1, 2021. In this position, he will assist Executive Director Susan Adams, BA, CAE, in aligning and executing the Association’s strategic goals. He will work closely with IAHCSMM chapters, other healthcare associations, administrators and regulatory bodies to increase awareness of the Association and the profession.

“Because of his depth of experience, I feel Damien is well positioned to assist IAHCSMM from a strategic perspective and help our Association continue to grow, expand and better serve our members and the profession at large,” said Adams.

Berg, an IAHCSMM Past-President (2018-2019) and a veteran Sterile Processing leader who most recently served as regional manager for UCHealth in Northern Colorado, has a firm understanding of IAHCSMM, its policies and procedures and its goals/vision, and also possesses strong leadership, management and speaking skills. He has a degree in Business Administration and Management and extensive experience working closely with healthcare organization leadership and for various regulatory bodies and standards making groups such as the American National Standards Institute and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/AAMI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO). He is also a confident speaker and Sterile Processing representative on a global scale, such as at chapter events, legislative/advocacy meetings and numerous conferences (including the World Forum where he serves as an executive committee member). Additionally, he has spent many years as chair of the IAHCSMM Advocacy Committee.

“It is an honor and privilege to be able to serve in this strategic role,” Berg said. “I have a passion for this profession, and the profession is all about the people. Working closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors will help me advance IAHCSMM’s mission to best support those in this critical discipline.”

The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management is the premier association for professionals in health care central service/materiel management. IAHCSMM provides structural educational opportunities, professional development and a forum for information exchange to more than 38,000 members and certificants. For more information, visit http://www.iahcsmm.org.

Julie Williamson

Articles

Give Sterile Processing Team, Profession the Recognition They Deserve

Celebrate the Critical Role of the Sterile Processing Profession in Infection Prevention

IAHCSMM Announces Official Membership Voting Results on Name Change ‘Healthcare Sterile Processing Association’ Name Takes Effect Jan. 1, 2022

Damien Berg to Join IAHCSMM as Strategic Initiatives Vice President