IAHCSMM and 3M Announce International Partnership

The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) and 3M  announce an educational program designed to promote the global exchange of best practices in the central sterile supply department (CSSD) of hospitals, targeting improved patient care for healthcare facilities worldwide.

The IAHCSMM /3M International Sister CSSD Educational Exchange Program will pair three CSSDs from the U.S. with another three CSSDs across the Asia Pacific, Latin America or Central Eastern Europe/Middle East/Africa regions.   Program applicants must be CSSD managers and those accepted will be named one of the 2012 International Collaboration Ambassadors.  Under the program, ambassadors will participate in monthly teleconferences to discuss critical issues and solutions, as well as standards in their regions.  Although the program designates a lead individual in each CSSD, entire departments may take advantage of the program by participating in the monthly teleconferences and best practice sharing. 

Additionally, participating CSSD managers will engage in a week-long shadowing experience in their sister hospital facility, hosted by the counterpart facility in a different country.  

The best patient care requires best practices, says Natalie Lind, education director for IAHCSMM. We live in a global environment where trends in patient care can and should cross borders.  By learning from each other, we may feel confident that CSSD managers are doing their best to promote patient safety.

Betty Mei, vice president of international business for 3M Infection Prevention adds, 3M fully supports educational initiativesas a  global company, we see a direct connection between the role of educational programs and improved patient safety.  Fortunately, the healthcare industry has strong recommended practices and guidelines to follow, and we feel confident that through increased discussion and awareness, the passion for following recommended practices will increase and improve patient safety across the world.

Details and an application form can be found at www.iahcsmm.org.  Applications will be accepted through midnight April 13, 2012 and selected participants will be notified by IAHCSMM on or before April 25, 2012. The names of the selected pairs will be announced at the IAHCSMM annual conference in Albuquerque, N.M. on May 1, 2012.