CRITERION. JUNE 2005 The Official Newsletter of the CBSPD, Inc. VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2

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1 CRITERION JUNE 2005 The Official Newsletter of the CBSPD, Inc. VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 A Message from the Executive Director Nancy Chobin, R.N., CSPDM Certification continues to pick up steam in the United States and around the world. More and more hospitals and surgery centers are recognizing how important sterile processors are to providing safe patient care. The job you do is vital to the health and safety of patients and certification is one way to demonstrate that you are competent in all areas of practice. In January 2005, the CBSPD was again asked to participate in an educational program in Malaysia. I traveled to Malaysia for the 2005 Malaysian Sterile Services Association Meeting and Conference in Kuala Lumpur. Educational programs were presented on three days along with past CBSPD Board Member Dr. Nyla Skee Japp. A Sterile Processing worker in Decontam at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (the largest hospital in the world). A visit was made to the hospital by Nancy Chobin and Dr. Japp during their stay in Malaysia. Malaysia Nancy Chobin, RN and past CBSPD Board Member Dr. Nyla Skee Japp were speakers at the 2005 Malaysian Sterile Services Association Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in January While in Malaysia Dr. Japp and Nancy Chobin had the opportunity to visit the largest hospital in the world in Kuala Lumpur. It has 2,500 beds. The Sterile Processing Department is managed by Matron Wan Muji Wan Ngah. The department was modern and well equipped with sterilization equipment, even low temperature gas plasma! It was interesting to note the department has a meditation room and a staff lounge. The entire department was immaculate. When you entered the sterile storage area you had to remove your shoes; you were given a pair of sandals to walk through. It was interesting to talk with the staff. When asked what error rate they have on their surgical trays the response was none. The department has several employees who package non-sterile items for sterilization (e.g. gauze, applicators, etc.). A highlight of the trip was the opening session of the meeting in which the Malaysian Health Minister enters the meeting. A parade of officials followed including those from the Malaysian Sterile Services Association. Nancy Chobin was asked to bring a U.S. flag for a planned procession of flags representing all countries in attendance. It was a proud moment when the US flag entered the room. The awards dinner was also enjoyable. Many of the Sterile Processing workers also sing and have recorded CDs! Many of them performed at the dinner. All in all it was a wonderful trip which will always be remembered for the warm hospitality of the Malaysian people. In March, I was privileged to present a paper at the World Decontamination Sciences Conference in London. The paper was entitled, Ten Years of Accreditation in the United States and focused on the pass and fail rates for all CBSPD exams over a 10-year period. There was tremendous interest in the audience in our accreditation program. Recently the CBSPD was invited to Thailand to help them start an education program leading up to certification. Colombia, South America offered its first certification examination for sterile processing technicians in April in Bogotá. The CBSPD is also helping sterile processing personnel in Lima, Peru to start certification. The CBSPD will continue to work to make the world know how vital your work is and why we need mandatory certification for all personnel performing decontamination, preparation/packaging and sterilization. In addition, What s Inside Scholarships from 3M: Pg. 2 Re-certification Poll: Pg. 2 Continuing Education Report: Pg. 3 Pre-Approved In-service: Pg. 4 Let Me Introduce Myself: Pg. 6

2 Nancy Chobin s Column we will continue to promote higher starting salaries for sterile processors and salaries which are commensurate with the awesome responsibilities of the job. HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN THE NEW CBSPD RE- CERTIFICATION SURVEY? The CBSPD is taking a survey of payment choices for re-certification. Currently there is a $95 fee due when re-certifying every five years. We want to know if you would like a payment plan instead. If you have not participated, please do by visiting the CBSPD webpage at: and look for the on-line poll. We have included a copy of the poll within this newsletter. You can participate until September 15, CBSPD Announces New Scholarships from 3M The Board of Directors of the CBSPD is pleased to announce the availability of 18 scholarships for the technician or Ambulatory Surgery technician exams for April These scholarships are worth up to $300 for the certification registration fee and associated study materials or a course. Already the CBSPD has awarded 18 scholarships for the October 2005 examinations after a press release was issued on our website in July. Interested candidates should download the Scholarship application form from the CBSPD press release webpage: /press/ htm or from your local 3M sales rep or by calling the CBSPD office at All recipients must meet all eligibility requirements. The first 18 candidates who apply and meet those requirements will be awarded the scholarships. Names of candidates who received this scholarship will be posted on our website in the near future. The Board is grateful to 3M for recognizing the importance of certification and to help make certification a reality for more sterile processing and Ambulatory Surgery processing personnel. CBSPD Announces Inaugural Ambulatory Surgery Exam On April 23, 2005, in addition to candidates taking the technician, supervisor, manager and surgical instrument processor examinations, a new group of candidates from Ambulatory Surgery centers took the new CBSPD Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technician examination a certification exam for the first time. This exam was the culmination of three years work in which Ambulatory Surgery sterile processors from throughout the United States were invited to participate in a Job Analysis of their profession. Significant differences in knowledge and skills areas were identified and are reflected on the Ambulatory Surgery examination. This exam will be offered twice a year, as are all other CBSPD certification examinations. June 2005 A total of 18 candidates sat for the exam of which 11 (61%) passed. Congratulations to the first group of Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technicians. A special pin was designed for the CASSPTs in keeping with the CBSPD s philosophy that each credential be identified with its own pin. CBSPD Board of Directors Executive Commissioners (Non-Voting) Nancy Chobin, R.N., CSPDT, CSIT, CSPDS, CSPDM Executive Director Teckla Ann Maresca, L.P.N., CSPDT, CSIT, CSPDS, CSPDM Co-Chairperson, CEU Review Committee Sue McManus, R.N., CEH, CSPDT, CSIT, CSPDS, CSPDM Test Development Committee Liaison Nora Wikander, R.N., CSPDT, CSIT, CSPDS, CSPDM, Co-Chairperson, CEU Review Committee Bobby Osburn, CSPDM, Veteran s Affairs Representative Martha Young, CSPDT, International Liaison Representative M. Eleanor Reilly, R.N., CSPDM, Board Member Emeritus Margaret Ryan, R.N., CSPDM, Board Member Emeritus CBSPD Voting Board Karen Swanson, L.P.N., CSPDM, Manager Representative Barbara Leigh, CSPDS, Supervisor Representative Lanfrey Funches, CSPDT, CSPDS, Technician Representative Lori Stratton, CSIT, CSPDT, Instrument Technician Rep. Barbara Aldeman, CSPDT, Veteran s Affairs Technician Rep. Paul Letersky, B.A., J.D., Public Member **CBSPD Poll** This poll is also on our website SUBJECT: RE-CERTIFICATION PAYMENT Question: The CBSPD would like to know which is easier for You. Pay $15 to $20 per year OR keep the current system and pay the entire recertification fee of $95 to $100 at the end of the 5 years? Please choose One. Pay $15 to $20 per year Pay $95 to $100 at end of 5 years Poll Ends 9/15/05 Please mail your vote to: CBSPD 121 Route 31 Flemington, NJ

3 Continuing Education Column Teckla Maresca, L.P.N., CSPDM Nora Wikander, R.N., CSPDM Welcome to all newly certified Technicians, Supervisors, Managers, Instrument Technicians and Ambulatory Surgery Technicians Your new journey starts now. You will need to begin gathering re-certification points now so when your packet comes in five years you will not have to panic. Organization is the key, if you start out organized it will be easier to maintain and a simple task when you go to file your recertification application. When starting to document your recertification points remember that the educational material to use for credit must conform to the exam content outlines for each different certification. Many will be the same but in some instances those programs that would get Supervisor/Manager credits would not qualify for any of the Technician points. All departmental in-services, professional journal printed in-services, Internet in-services, professional association seminars and programs and manufacturer s programs (in-services, videos, seminars) must be reviewed by the CBSPD CEU Committee and given a pre-approved status or assigned an approval code number. The in-services that are printed both in the professional journals and on the Internet have instructions on how to apply for CEU s. If the CBSPD CEU Committee has preapproved that in-service the box with the instructions will state that the CBSPD has Pre-Approved the in-service for hours. Printed in-services that do not have a preapproved statement in the obtain CEU column need to be submitted for review. If the in-service falls under the exam content guidelines an approval code number and contact hours will be assigned. The same approval code number for that in-service will be sent to all individuals applying for that in-service. The title of the in-service, the publication that the in-service is in (i.e. HPN, Infection Control Today, Managing Infection Control etc.) and the publication date is the information that is needed for the CEU Committee to review the request and get an approval number or denial back to you. Upcoming Certification Exam Dates And Application Deadlines 1st Administration Date OCTOBER 22, 2005 Application Deadline SEPTEMBER 9, nd Administration Date APRIL 22, 2006 Application Deadline MARCH 10, 2006 Key to Quiz: 1:B, 2:D, 3:A, 4:D, 5:D, 6:D, 7:B, 8:D, 9:D, 10:D Whether the in-service is pre-approved or needs an approval number, you must have your institution document that you have completed the in-service. This can be by a certificate, an in-service list or computer printout. Whichever method is used the documentation must include: Name of Person completing the in-service, title of the in-service, the journal or website the in-service was printed in, the date of the publication, the date completed, the fact that it was Pre-Approved or an approval code number, the contact hours approved for that in-service and be signed by the responsible person from the institution. (For example: Department Manager/ Supervisor, Department In-Service Coordinator or the Institutions Education Department. etc.) Departmental in-services can consist of a 15- minute informal review of practice to a formal hour or more long presentation. The request for review needs to be submitted within six weeks of the in-service date. The information can be submitted on line at or a completed application can be mailed to the CBSPD office. Only one request per in-service to be reviewed is required the same approval number is to be used for all those who attended the presentation. Once the CEU Committee reviews the application the in-service will either be approved and assigned an approval code number and contact hours or the request will be denied. Denials are made when the in-service content does not comply with the exam content outline. If more information is required a request will be made to the sender to provide the required information and the request will be re-examined. Once the approval number has been received the documentation for completion of the departmental in-service needs to be a certificate, a in-service list or a computer printout all which need to include the individuals name, date of inservice, title of in-service, approval code number and the contact hours. The institutions assigned representative must sign the certificate, list or computer printout. You need to be aware that the institution mandatory in-services such as fire safety, HIPPA training, JCAHO review are all included in the employment points that are awarded for full or part time employment each year. These in-services will not receive additional contact hours. Professional Association Seminars/Programs is another avenue for obtaining contact hours toward recertification. The program organizers should submit the information for review prior to the brochure/announcement being printed so it can contain a statement that it has received CBSPD approval. The certificates of attendance for that program should then include the approval code number and the contact hours approved. If you are unsure that the program will give you contact hours, contact the organizers and ask if they have submitted the request for review. An individual may make a submission for a program if they are unable to get the organizers to submit the request. In that case a copy of the brochure or an agenda of the meeting must be submitted. The information that is necessary for review is the individual session titles, time frames and objectives. Individuals will be sent a letter to attach to the certificate of attendance if the program/seminar is approved. The letter and the certificate must be submitted together at the time for recertification in order for those contact hours to count. Another way to obtain contact hours is to write test questions and submitting them to the Item Review Committee. For every 10 (ten) questions 3

4 CEU Column that are accepted by the committee, 2 (two) contact hours will be awarded. The maximum number of hours that can be obtained in a re-certification period is 15 (fifteen). Contact the office for more information relative to writing test questions. As you can see there are many ways for the recertification credits to be obtained and we suggest that you start this process immediately after obtaining certification or re-certification so it does not become a burden when the date looms closer. If you have any questions about the information provided please contact the CEU Committee by calling or e- mailing the office ( or CBSPD@att.net). PRE-APPROVED IN-SERVICE Governing Agencies for Central Service Organizations Barbara Aldeman, CRMST, CSPDT There are a number of governing agencies at the federal, state, and local levels that have policies/regulations and or recommendations that impact Central Service/Sterile Processing Departments. Some of those agencies and regulations/recommendations are discussed below: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that protects workers from occupationally-caused illnesses and work-related injuries. OSHA has several requirements that directly affect CS/SPD. The Hazardous Communication Program, Right To Know, is a program that requires that workers be informed of potential hazardous substances in the workplace. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) are printed or written documents providing information not only on the physical (boiling point, flash point etc) and health effects, first aid, storage, disposal and spill procedures of a hazardous material. It also lists the chemical name, common name, trade name, and a list of ingredients identifying those hazardous components with CAS number assigned by the government. This information is intended to focus on hazards of working with individual substances in a workplace. The MSDS should be provided by the manufacturer of substances being brought into CS/SPD. CS/SPD practices are to follow the handling recommendations provided on the MSDS in the areas of proper personal protective attire (eye, skin and respiratory protection) as well as storage, disposal and spill procedures. Department Policies/Procedures should address these issues and be reviewed with the staff on an annual basis. The annual review should include identification of substances being used, PPE that is available as well as what the procedures are for using, storing and disposal of these substances. A review of how to use the MSDS to obtain the information that is necessary for the employee to have. The Material Safety Data Sheets for those potentially harmful substances used in the department needs to be maintained and available to employees on duty. June 2005 A master list for the institution is also kept at a centrally designated location which should be known to all employees. Those departments using Ethylene Oxide are regulated by the OSHA Standard 29CFR. This final rule needs to be available to employees and copies can be obtained from OSHA directly or from their web site www. OSHA.gov under Regulations (Standards). There are specific regulations requiring employee monitoring (8 Hour time Weighted Average, Excursion limits and Action levels), employee notification of monitoring results as well as report retention requirements. This standard addresses medical surveillance guidelines, storing of EtO, engineering controls, record keeping, initial physicals, employee training, and emergency spill plans and evacuations. The final rule also provides specific wording for signs that need to be posted in designated regulated areas. It is important to develop Policies and Procedures for Ethylene Oxide use based on the OSHA regulations with regard to specific work practices, PPE, respiratory protection and work flow practices, as well as annual education and staff competencies. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard ( ) applies to all occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (i.e. body fluids). The standard provides guidance for exposure control and communications of hazards to employees. It also identifies the methods of compliance a healthcare facility should utilize, including engineering controls, personal protective equipment, housekeeping controls, and regulated waste containment. Theses controls include sharps disposal containers, self-sheathing needles and syringes, and needleless systems. The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard also provides for the Hepatitis B vaccination to be available to all employees who have the potential for occupational exposure. This standard provides for warning labels and signs or red bags/red containers to be used when dealing with blood or other potentially infectious material. Departmental practices and Policies/Procedures are to be developed with this standard in mind regarding PPE for CS/SPD Decontamination areas, clean and dirty transport and work flow practices. Work with institutions Infection Control Department April 2005 CBSPD Certification Exam Stats TECHNICIAN: Total Sat for Exam = 988; Total Passed = 758 (77%); Total Failed = 230 (23%) MANAGER: Total Sat for Exam = 34; Total Passed = 11 (32%) ; Total Failed = 23 (68%) SUPERVISOR: Total Sat for Exam = 65; Total Passed = 31 (48%); Total Failed = 34 (52%) SURG. INSTR. TECH: Total Sat for Exam = 128; Total Passed = 58 (45%); Total Failed = 70 (55%) AMBULATORY SURGERY TECH: Total Sat for Exam = 18; Total Passed = 11(61%); Total Failed = 7 (39%) 4

5 CBSPD In-service in regards to addressing all the necessary sections of the regulation for CS/SPD. Annual review of the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard is required, usually covered in the annual Infection Control review. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal regulatory agency that is responsible for protecting the land, water, and air. One of their responsibilities is regulation of manufacturing, labeling, and emissions of ethylene oxide (EtO). The EPA published recommendations for modifications in the workplace design in healthcare facilities where EPA has registered Ethylene Oxide for use as a sterilant. (web site The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal regulatory agency that is responsible for the manufacturing and safety of medical devices, food, and drugs. The FDA provides the guidance in tracking of medical devices, notification of recalled medical items, drugs, and food products. In August of 2000, the FDA released guidance on the reprocessing and reuse of single-use devices. (web site When reviewing CS/SPD practices there must be references to the reprocessing of medical devices with the FDA standards in mind. If reprocessing of single use devices occurs either at the facility or by a third party reprocessor the Policies/Procedures and practices need to comply with the FDA requirements. AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) is a Standard setting organization that consists of manufacturing, scientific and user representation that write industry standards (Recommended Practice Documents) in many Bio-Medical and Technical areas as well as for Sterilization practices. These documents are Recommended Practices that are recognized in at least one state (New Jersey) as law. There are multiple Recommended Practice documents that cover sterilization, sterilization monitoring, testing, packaging and high level disinfection. There have been TIR s (Technical Information Reports) that address the need for manufacturer s to provide reprocessing information. These reports are developed by the committees as need is recognized and are usually the forerunner to a Recommended Practice. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is a voluntary accreditation organization to which healthcare facilities may choose to belong to in order to qualify for financial reimbursement from insurers. JCAHO has standards that address healthcare organizations level of performance in specific areas. Organizations will be evaluated on their compliance against all applicable standards for the accreditation program and the population served. An organization s scope of services will define which standards apply. The JCAHO standards, which affect CS/SPD, are infection control, safety, sterilization, quality assurance, and training. This is the area that CS/SPD quality assurance and improvement plans need to be in place. Most institutions have JCAHO annual overall reviews but CS/SPD should also provide specific reviews for their employees. References: JUNE 2005 VA Handbook 7176 SPD Advisory Training Guide 1010 OSHA Website; FDA Website AAMI Website; EPA Website JCAHO Website. POST-TEST Governing Agencies for Central Service Organizations THIS PRE-APPROVED IN-SERVICE IS WORTH 1 CEU WITH A PASSING SCORE OF 70. YOUR MANAGER MUST GENER- ATE A CERTIFICATE OR LETTER OF COMPLETION ON FACILITY LETTERHEAD WITH YOUR NAME, SIG- NATURE OF YOUR MANAGER, DATE OF TEST, TITLE OF TEST AND NAME OF JOURNAL (CRITERION). YOU WILL KEEP THIS WITH YOUR RE-CERTIFICATION RECORDS. DO NOT SEND THIS TEST TO THE CBSPD OFFICE. 1. How often is training on Materiel Safety Data Sheets required? A. Every 6 months B. Annually C. Every 3 months D. None of the above 2. Which Agency provides guidance for tracking medical devices? A. JCAHO B. EPA C. AORN D. FDA 3. Which agency registered Ethylene Oxide for use as a sterilant? A. EPA B. CBSPD C. OSHA D. JCAHO 4. Which of the following Joint Commission Standards affect Central Service? A. Quality assurance B. Sterilization C. Infection Control D. All of the above 5. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration protect the workers from? A. Occupationally-caused illnesses B. Work-related injures C. Sunlight D. Both A & B 6. Which agency is responsible for notification of recalled medical items? A. EPA B. JCAHO C. OSHA D. FDA 7. What year did the FDA release guidance in reprocessing of single use devices? A B C D

6 In-service Post-Test 8. The OSHA Bloodborne pathogens Standard applies to which exposures? A. EtO B. Blood C. Infectious waste D. Both B & C 9. What information is required on the MSDS sheets? A. Chemical name B. Common name C. Manufacturer D. All the above 10. The EPA is an agency that is responsible for which of the following? A. Land B. Water C. Air D. All the above Let Me Introduce Myself Hello, my name is Marie Long; I am a lead technician in a Columbus, Ohio hospital. I would like to take an opportunity to tell you about myself. I have worked in Sterile Processing for more then 25 years total. Needless to say, there have been many changes over the years! When I first started working in my department, very few people who came to work with me had experience. In those days we spent much of our time folding linen for surgery packs, with only a few people trained as instrument technicians. In the early 80 s it was decided that our surgery department would use disposable linen. At which time everyone in the department became instrument technicians and shared all duties. Much to my surprise I learned to set up instruments for surgery! In 1996 in one of our department meetings my manager mentioned the possibility of Sterile Processing technicians needing to become certified. Two of my co-workers decided that the three of us would look into taking the next available certification exam. I was not too excited about this idea, but went along with it anyway. Much to my surprise, I, along with the other two ladies passed the exam. To be honest with you, after the initial shock of passing an exam after being out of school many, many years, being certified went completely out of my mind. It wasn t then, and still is not an important issue in my hospital, or many other hospitals in central Ohio. When the time came close for my certification to expire, I must admit that I was tempted to not look into collecting enough education hours to recertify. My fear of having to take the test later in years was my inspiration to look into what education credits I could collect. I would like to share with you how my decision to recertify changed my attitude on my position here at the hospital, along with my certification. After taking many tests in the different magazines we had in our department in order to collect my education JUNE 2005 hours for certification, I thought it would be so much easier, and more interesting to have seminars offered in Central Ohio for others like myself. I had been to a few seminars, but they were quite a distance away. In 2004 I sent out a letter to about 36 different hospital Sterile Processing departments, asking if anyone else was interested in education opportunities for SPD personnel. On an October Saturday morning I had the opportunity to meet people with the same ideas as myself. Without knowing what we were doing, or how we were going to do it we have worked together with an emphasis on professional development as well as education. Working in Sterile Processing requires education, skill, and professionalism. Certification of Sterile Processing technicians can be a significant asset for any SPD department, as well as the OR. A strong point of SPD technician s certification education is on going professional development; knowledge and skills that can only benefit ones job performance. With all of the changes taking place in our line of work-i have learned that sharing ideas, experience, education, and interfacing with others not only benefits me, but so many others as well. It is very important for us to keep ourselves focused, interested, and educated. With us pulling together to share our knowledge, we were able to form an educational chapter, which has helped further the growth of many interested SPD technicians. I have learned so much because of my decision to stay certified. The challenges, experiences, and opportunities I have encountered have been very positive. SPD worker not only deserve to be recognized, but remain a very vital part of the healthcare network, and in order to keep ourselves focused, interested, educated and heard, we must pull together to share our knowledge - and what better way then with a professional chapter! I wish you a safe and happy summer, and I hope you decide when the time comes for your re-certification to make sure you have all of the educational hours needed to continue your certification! **Reminder to All Upcoming October Re-certs** If you were originally certified on 10/14/95 or 10/21/00, you are due for re-certification this October. Please have your completed recertification packet with payment of $95 into the CBSPD office no later than 10/31/05. The CBSPD mails out re-certification packets 6 months before you are due to expire. If you have not received your packet yet, please contact our office or print one out from our downloads page at. 6

7 Back Page Visit the CBSPD Website at WHERE YOU CAN.....PRINT NEWSLETTER BACK ISSUES.. *NEW..VIEW & POST CS/SPD COURSES....VIEW & POST CS/SPD JOB OPENINGS.. *NEW..VIEW & POST CS/SPD PROGRAMS.. *NEW..VIEW & ASK CS/SPD QUESTIONS....PURCHASE STUDY MATERIAL....PRINT APPLICATION BOOKLETS.. *NEW..PRINT IN-SERVICES FROM OUR LINKS PAGE.....SUBMIT CEU PROGRAMS.. AND MORE! CBSPD Request Form CEU Packet Study Book Order Form Merchandise Order Form Technician Candidate Bulletin Surgical Instrument Technician Candidate Bulletin Ambulatory Surgery Candidate Bulletin Supervisor Candidate Bulletin Manager Candidate Bulletin Receipt Re-cert Packet NAME: FULL ADDRESS: DAYTIME PHONE WITH AREA CODE: (Only if you want the files ed to you): **All files are in Adobe Acrobat.pdf format. Comments: