Global educational exchange program of hospital Central Sterile Services leaders builds connections, promotes patient safety
The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management (IAHCSMM) and 3M are pleased to announce selected educational ambassadors for the third annual International Sister CSSD Educational Exchange Program. The educational program is designed to promote the global exchange of best practices in the Central Sterile Supply Departments (CSSD) of hospitals, targeting improved patient care in health care facilities worldwide.
Each year since the program was introduced in 2012, the IAHCSMM /3M International Sister CSSD Educational Exchange Program has matched three CSSDs from the U.S. with another three CSSDs from across Asia Pacific, Latin America or Central Eastern Europe/Middle East regions. The selected CSSD managers host and travel to partner hospital facilities for weeklong shadowing experiences, participate in monthly teleconferences, and share their takeaways with regional and national professional networks.
The program participants for 2014-2015 have been selected and paired as follows:
Tonya Miller from Bon Secours Saint Francis Health System, Greenville, S.C. with HaiYi Yeng from GuangDong General Hospital, GuangZhou, China
Linda Condon from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md. with Liliana Lervasi from Hospital Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Roschell Lloyd from Mercy Iowa City Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa with Petr Demidov from City Hospital 4, Moscow, Russia
Key learnings from the exchange program will be presented at the IAHCSMM 50th Annual Conference and Expo in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on May 2, 2015. IAHCSMM and 3M have both provided financial support and managerial oversight for the program since its inception, including cooperative selection of ambassadors.
“Innovative practices in sterile processing are being developed all the time, all throughout the world. However, extending knowledge and practices beyond one’s walls isn’t necessarily common given the busy nature of sterile processing departments,” said Natalie Lind, IAHCSMM educational director. “This program reminds us how important it is to make connections and share best practices, especially when it can directly affect patient outcomes. We at IAHCSMM are delighted to work with 3M in that same spirit of collaboration, demonstrating how innovative partnerships can benefit of the entire profession.”
The 2013-2014 cycle of the exchange program paired Andre Cox from Kaiser Permanente in Anaheim, Calif. with Gretta Abu-Rjeily from American University of Beirut Medical Center in Beirut, Lebanon; Gail Doyle of Sanford Medical Center, Sioux Falls, S.D. with Han Tiew Peng of Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore; and Jan Prudent of Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Idaho Falls, Idaho with Giovana Moriya of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In its first year, the program connected hospitals and CSSD managers in Texas and Colombia, Minnesota and Taiwan, and Idaho and United Arab Emirates.
“We congratulate the latest exchange program ambassadors as they embark on this special learning opportunity,” said Dr. Cem Yurttas, global manager of scientific affairs and education at 3M Health Care. “Our excitement for them extends also to their many patients, colleagues, and other connections who will eventually benefit from their expanded knowledge. The potential impact is immense.”
About IAHCSMM
The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management is the premier association for professionals in healthcare central service/materiel management. IAHCSMM provides structural educational opportunities, professional development and a forum for information exchange to more than 21,000 members worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.iahcsmm.org.
About 3M Health Care
3M Health Care offers solutions in the medical, oral care, drug delivery, food safety and health information markets. We have an unparalleled ability to connect people, insights, science and technology to think beyond today, solve problems, and make better health possible. Our culture of collaboration empowers us to discover and deliver practical, proven solutions that enable our customers to protect and improve the health of people around the world. Learn more at 3M Health Care. 3M is a leading provider of educational support for CSSD managers and employees. For more information, visit http://www.3M.com/3MSterileU or http://www.3M.com/infectionprevention.
IAHCSMMJulie Williamson, 480-373-8999Julie@iahcsmm.orgorKohnstamm CommunicationsAaron Berstler, 651-789-1264aaron@kohnstamm.com
