| Past Issues | Printer-Friendly | Send to a Friend | Advertise | www.csao.net | January 4, 2013 |
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
 The new CSAO Provincial Executive has come together for one meeting in November. Just prior to the meeting, I was contacted by Michelle Bellefeuille (Theta Chapter Representative) who regretfully resigned from this position. We all wish Michelle the very best and hope that in the future she will consider involvement with CSAO again. The Theta Chapter then appointed Jeffrey Phelps to the Provincial Executive as their Chapter Representative.
Learn More...  As we move into 2013, I am sure there will be a lot more changes in the world of Medical Device Reprocessing. This is good because it means that we are recognized more and more for the extremely important work that we do.
Learn More... VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
 As the Vice President of the Provincial CSAO Executive, it is a privilege to have a seat on the Canadian Standards Association. The following is an overview of what the CSA has been working on: Z314.00 Medical Device Reprocessing – General Guidelines: New Standard This has gone to public review and will be balloted in January 2013 by the Technical committee and should be for sale by March 2013.
Learn More... EDUCATION REPORT
CHAPTER REPORT
This year (2012-13), members will vote on proposed constitutional changes. As always, this vote will occur at our Annual General Membership meeting that will be held on September 10, 2013, as part of our Annual Conference. When requesting a change to the constitution, please make sure that you state the page number, Article and Section numbers of the current constitution. Changes must be sent to the office no later than February 28, 2013. Link to the constitution is here: www.csao.net/about/constitution/.
Learn More... I would like to extend my warmest greetings for the New Year. We have an exciting 2013 ahead of us, with many education opportunities for you to take advantage of. I would like to thank the executive Colleen, Tammy and Jeffery for all the hard work, commitment and dedication that is put into keeping the chapter running, and providing education and knowledge for the members. Also to Michelle, for staying on in the background, to help us with the newsletter and for her support. A special thank you to our members who attend our meetings and contribute to the chapter. Our current membership is at 117.
Learn More... The ETA Chapter held two meetings since the annual conference. The first was at Sick Kids Hospital in October and the second the annual Christmas Dinner on December 4. The minutes for both are summarized. Next meeting date to be announced.
Learn More... Lambda Chapter held one meeting in October. Our education portion was a webinar from 3M Sterile U entitled "Device Manufacturers' IFUs: Why Are They Important?". In an effort to boost our membership, we held a draw for two members to receive their 2012-2013 memberships for free. Our next meeting will be held on February 7, 2013, and our annual general meeting will be held on April 4, 2013.
Learn More... SPECIAL EVENTS
The World Forum for Hospital Sterile Supply (WFHSS) is a world-wide community of national and regional associations for hospital sterile supply staff members and professionals from the industry.
Learn More... CANADIAN STANDARDS & ACCREDITATION
Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) document with latest revisions (Feb 2010).
Learn More... Accreditation Canada's Standards for the Reprocessing and Sterilization of Reusable Medical Devices were prepared in response to requests from health service organizations, regulators, and governments for a set of national standards. They have been developed in conjunction with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and incorporate many elements from existing CSA standards.
Learn More...  The complexity and temperature sensitivity of flexible endoscopes makes cleaning followed by sterilization/disinfection difficult. While sterilization may be optimal, the minimum acceptable standard for reprocessing endoscopes is high level disinfection (HLD). At all times, cleaning must precede high level disinfection. Endoscopic accessories do require sterilization. Whenever flexible endoscopes are reprocessed, those involved in the reprocessing must adhere to the validated protocol recommended by the manufacturer of the endoscope.
Learn More... ARTICLES RELATED TO STERILIZATION AND DECONTAMINATION
OSHAWA -- The basement is quiet; the only sound is the low hum of machinery. A lone woman works away deep in concentration. An elevator across from her beeps and the door opens. A large metal cart is wheeled out. It's covered in bloody surgical instruments. The woman remains calm. It's her job. She's witnessed this scene many times before. The instruments are meant for her and when she's done with them there won't be a trace of any blood or tissue on them.
Learn More... The name Dr. John Bowie is connected to an important period of sterilization. As a bacteriologist, he is especially known as the inventor of the Bowie Dick test for evaluating the efficiency of dynamic air-removal of pre-vacuum sterilizer.
Learn More... One of the biggest ongoing debates in the greening of Canada’s hospitals has to do with single-use versus reusable textiles in the operating room (OR); these products include surgical gowns, drapes and sterilization wrap for surgical instruments. It’s no small issue: the OR is one of the largest users of supplies within the hospital as well as one of the largest producers of waste. In fact, case studies have estimated that, despite its relatively small footprint, between 20% and 30% of the total waste generated by a hospital comes from the OR.
Learn More... Booth Centennial Healthcare Linen Services (BCHLS) recently presented five, elite hospitals in Ontario with the BCHLS Green Award. The first of its kind in Canada, the BCHLS Green Award is awarded to hospitals who have demonstrated a serious commitment to going green and using reusable textiles in the OR.
Learn More... Discovery and Science Channel's VIDEO - "How It's Made," Surgical Instruments episode.
Learn More... Educational Video: STERRAD Systems use low-temperature, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma technology to sterilize your instruments and medical devices safely and effectively, protecting the instruments, users, patients and environment in your health care facility.
Learn More... Happy New Year 2013 to all! I hope you all had a great holiday season and look forward to starting another exciting year ahead. We are very pleased to put out this January 2013 e-newsletter. This e-newsletter will provide updates and information from the Executive Committee, chapter reports and other articles and links related to Standards, Conferences and Educational Opportunities. Please let me know if you have any ideas to add to any upcoming e-newsletters. |
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