Crazy Tattoos

The Future Of Sterile Processing Education: Online Training For Sterile Processing Technicians

Currently, the sterile processing professional is one of the most under recognized and underpaid of the clinical technicians in the modern health care setting. This is a very sad state of affairs when one considers the importance of the role of the sterile processing technician in the hospital and surgery center setting. Quite literally, no direct patient care providing medical center can function without them!

It is unlikely that hospital administrators will come to an epiphany on their own with respect to the profession within their respective facilities and seek to reach down and help elevate the sterile processing department and, subsequently, its technicians. It is, in pretty much any endeavor, futile (not to mention lazy and irresponsible) to sit around any hope for things to get better. Some times, we have take the initiative upon ourselves.

In central sterile processing, one organization, IAHCSMM, has been at the forefront of this for many, many years. And other independent and group efforts are underway, organizations such as The Central Sterile Processing Initiative. But a more concentrated effort is now needed if we are to move the profession forward. If what we have been doing for years isn't giving us the results we both want and need, then it is clearly time to step back and evaluate.

It is the contention of The Central Sterile Processing Initiative that there are several areas upon which we should, as a profession, now be focused—mandatory certification is not the biggest hurdle and should not be our ultimate goal. We can aim higher than even this lofty enterprise. To learn more about these areas and our ideas, please visit The Central Sterile Processing Initiative's website.

But for the discussion at hand, we are interested in one topic alone, education. Before the sterile processing professional can be lifted up, he or she need be worthy of such elevation. It is time that we stopped treating sterile processing as any other support services area such as environmental or dietary and begin to focus on both the clinical and technical aspects of the field. This entails a much more educated technician.

The Central Sterile Processing Initiative's view of education is not centered upon simply plans of self-study, brief courses and seminars, and then, finally, passing a certification exam. Rather, we proffer that the education of a sterile processing technician should be no less rigorous than that of any other technical/clinical associate's degree-level program. The reasons for this should be obvious (the complex understanding of microbiology, chemistry, and physics required; infection control prevention, patient safety, etc.)

We know that this won't come quickly or even easy but it is a goal that we should be focused upon. Certification should be second to such an educational paradigm shift.

The above being said, we are not opposed to certification—on the contrary! Today, professional certification is the highest possible standard for the sterile processing professional and it is a MUST. We both recommend certification via CBSPD and IAHCSMM to all of our students and require it of our affiliate instructors.

How can we begin to implement the above recommended changes in our own professional arena?

First, let's take a look at the current educational situation. Today, the only real educational options for sterile processing educational progression are: 1) self study, 2) the occasional seminar/training session, 3) some course offerings via community and technical colleges, and 4) vendor sponsored programs and inservices.

Self study is a viable option for some, but it is limited in scope and not everyone does well without the appropriate structure of the classroom setting and fixed curriculum.

Seminars and the occasional training session are good opportunities for learning but self-limiting due to several factors. For one, they aren't available in all locations and at regularly scheduled times. This makes is difficult for many. As well, they, due to the short time frame which they run (anywhere from several hours to several days) only so much information can be conveyed.

The community/technical college offerings are good first steps, however, the problem again is location—they just aren't convenient for the greater population as the sterile processing course offerings aren't standard programs as would be, say, radiology technician training. As well, these programs can be costly.

Many vendors offer educational programs and some of these are indeed outstanding. However, with vendor sponsored programs, there is always a catch—there is a clear product bias and, in many instances, this can cause more confusion than do good. Vendor neutral educational programs are to be preferred.

Despite stating the negatives associated with the above, these are in fact integral parts of the sterile processing educational platform and are not to be shunned but rather seen merely for what they are—ancillary educational arenas—but these alone cannot move the profession forward. These are just first steps.

What we need is a fresh and new first step, a step that will provide for global educational opportunities for sterile processing professionals, via quality products, at an affordable price, and ON DEMAND.

This is one of the driving goals of The Central Sterile Processing Initiative—develop comprehensive online training curricula for sterile processing professionals that one can accessed at anytime, from anywhere, at an economy price so that we can put more and better education into the hands of those who would otherwise miss out on such opportunities.

Copyright 2010 by Shane Huey.  All rights reserved.

About the Author

Shane Huey is a certified Sterile Processing professional. He manages two sterile processing departments at a major South Florida trauma center, directs The Central Sterile Processing Initiative, sits on four ANSI/AAMI working groups, and writes and lectures on sterile processing. To learn more about online educational and training opportunities in sterile processing, please visit http://www.centralsterileprocessing.net.

Thousands told NO INSURANCE UNLESS YOU GET STERILISED

US Auctions Australian Auctions Austrian Auctions Belgian Auctions Canadian Auctions French Auctions German Auctions Irish Auctions Italian Auctions Dutch Auctions Spanish Auctions Swiss Auctions GB Auctions

Best Match Items Ending First Newly-Listed Items First Price + Shipping: Lowest First Price + Shipping: Highest First

Hand Trimmed Made False Fake Eyelashes from Sterilized 100 Human Hair 3Pairs $7.91 Time Remaining: 14d 21h 39m Buy It Now for only: $7.91 Buy It Now

VINTAGE FULLER BRUSH BLACK 11 CLOTHES BRUSH MADE IN USA STERILIZED $4.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6h 21m

1907 Ad Healthy Sterilized Beer Say Schlitz Made Milwaukee Famous Alcohol Drink $38.95 Time Remaining: 29d 13h 59m Buy It Now for only: $38.95 Buy It Now

Vintage Shaving Brush Pure Badger C3 Sterilized Made in USA Made Rite $35.00 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 33m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 Buy It Now

11 Flat Mag 50 Tattoo Needle Magnum Sterilized Pre Made $15.95 Time Remaining: 4d 10h 22m Buy It Now for only: $15.95 Buy It Now

RUBBERSET MADE IN USA STERILIZED SHAVING BRUSH ALUMINUM HANDLE VINTAGE $39.99 Time Remaining: 9d 11h 15m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now

vint MADE RITE SHAVING BRUSH USA STERILIZED $12.99 Time Remaining: 27d 8h 12m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now

Made Rite USA Sterilized Badger Cased 203 SHAVING BRUSH $9.99 Time Remaining: 11h 39m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 Buy It Now

Vintage Shoe Brush Wood w Sterilized Hair Made In USA GREAT COLLECTIBLE LOOK $14.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 51m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now

Oxford Shoe Brush Made USA OXCO 100 Horse Hair Brush Sterilized FREE SHIP USA $29.99 Time Remaining: 14d 10h 33m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now

Vintage OXCO 100 Horse Hair Brush Sterilized Made in USA $4.99 Time Remaining: 3d 13h 37m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Buy It Now

Vintage Marked MADE RITE USA STERILIZED SHAVING BRUSH blue badger hair $12.99 Time Remaining: 5d 12h 19m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now

(20) X 7-MAGNUMS STERILIZED TATTOO NEEDLES AND (5) DISPOSABLE TIPS AS BONUS Sale Price: $4.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description THIS LISTING INCLUDES A BOX OF (20) STERILIZED TATTOO NEEDLES, AND A BONUS OF (5) DISPOSABLE TIPS. ALL NEEDLES AND TIPS ARE STERILIZED USING E.O. GAS AND THE EXPIRATION IS DATED ON EACH INDIVIDUALLY PACK.

Steribottle Ready to Use Disposable Baby Bottles, 10 Count Sale Price: $9.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product

First Aid Only Products - First Aid Only - Knuckle Bandages, Individually Sterilized, 10/Box - Sold As 1 Box - Made of flexible fabric designed to stretch when you stretch. - Strong adhesive keeps bandage secure in original position. - Individually sterilized packages reduce possibility of infection. List Price: $8.05 Sale Price: $6.30 You save: $1.75 (22%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description First Aid Only - Knuckle Bandages, Individually Sterilized, 10/Box - Sold As 1 BoxMade of flexible fabric designed to stretch when you stretch. Strong adhesive keeps bandage secure in original position...

After the Promise [VHS] List Price: $9.99 See Reviews For This Product

(20) X 5-MAGNUMS STERILIZED TATTOO NEEDLES AND (5) DISPOSABLE TIPS AS BONUS Sale Price: $4.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description THIS LISTING INCLUDES A BOX OF (20) STERILIZED TATTOO NEEDLES, AND A BONUS OF (5) DISPOSABLE TIPS. ALL NEEDLES AND TIPS ARE STERILIZED USING E.O. GAS AND THE EXPIRATION IS DATED ON EACH INDIVIDUALLY PACK.

Similac Organic / 1-QT bottle Sale Price: $3.97   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Wholesome. Healthy. Pure. That's what you want from your baby's formula. That's what you get from this formula. It's made while wholesome organic milk and is certified USDA organic-so you know it meets the highest organic standards...

Prepared Nutrient Agar in Disposable Sterile Plates Sale Price: $18.20   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description Media, Cell Culture; Nutrient Agar; Supplied in disposable plastic Petri dishes 100mm O.D. x 15mmH; Ready to use; Sterile

(20) X 7-ROUND SHADERS STERILIZED TATTOO NEEDLES AND (5) DISPOSABLE TIPS AS BONUS Sale Price: $4.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description THIS LISTING INCLUDES A BOX OF (20) STERILIZED TATTOO NEEDLES, AND A BONUS OF (5) DISPOSABLE TIPS. ALL NEEDLES AND TIPS ARE STERILIZED USING E.O. GAS AND THE EXPIRATION IS DATED ON EACH INDIVIDUALLY PACK.

(20) X 3-ROUND SHADERS STERILIZED TATTOO NEEDLES AND (5) DISPOSABLE TIPS AS BONUS Sale Price: $4.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description THIS LISTING INCLUDES A BOX OF (20) STERILIZED TATTOO NEEDLES, AND A BONUS OF (5) DISPOSABLE TIPS. ALL NEEDLES AND TIPS ARE STERILIZED USING E.O. GAS AND THE EXPIRATION IS DATED ON EACH INDIVIDUALLY PACK.

Playtex Drop-Ins Disposable BPA Free Nurser Liners 4 oz - 100 Count Sale Price: $8.49   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Easy to use, soothing for Baby, and full of safety features to ensure her comfort, these drop-in bottle liners are the perfect solution to hiccups in the feeding process. The pre-formed, pre-sterilized soft bottle liners are made of tough, 100% leak-free plastic and hold 4 ounces each...