The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) reminds those in the infection prevention profession that October 9-15, 2011, hospitals will be celebrating National Healthcare Central Service & Sterile Processing Week. Its a great opportunity to recognize the committed specialists that fill CS departments and make a difference in patient care throughout the United States.

IAHCSMM offers a few suggestions to say "thanks" to the professionals in your institution's CS/SPD department:

- Displays - bulletin boards with staff pictures and employment history

- Personal notes/cards to employees in department

Sterile Processing

 sterile processing page provides an inside look into the sterile processing (or central supply) department in the hospital where surgical instruments are cleaned, sterilized, and reprocessed in order to disinfect, remove bioburden, and prep for upcoming procedures. Sterile processing applies to not only the knives, scalpels, scissors, forceps, and clamps used in surgery, but also instruments such as endoscopes and duodenoscopes. 

 reports on the latest technology but also on the means to disinfect that technology. Also, the trend toward making more disposable surgical equipment. What does that mean for the sterile processing team?

Plan Now for National Healthcare Central Service & Sterile Processing Week