Hospital professionals who work in the central service department, also known as sterile processing department, contribute to the delivery of safe, high-quality care. To honor the best of the best in the central service profession, the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management has announced the winners of its 2016 awards.
Highlighted below are the various awards in the IAHCSMM program, and the hospitals or professionals who were recognized.
The Confidence Builder Award recognizes a central service team that is building confidence within their organization with programs that empower the team and the hospital to deliver the best in patient outcomes.
2016 winner: The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics' Sterile Processing Department (Iowa City)
The Central Service Supervisor/Manager of the Year Award honors a central service department leader who made significant contributions to their facility.
2016 winner: Francisco Rodriguez, manager of central sterile at Good Samaritan Hospital (Suffern, N.Y.)
The Decontaminator of the Year Award acknowledges the author of an outstanding paper focusing on understanding the importance of decontamination in their workplace environment.
2016 winner: Patricia Pabon, a central sterile technician at St. John's Riverside Hospital (Yonkers, N.Y.)
The Educator of the Year Award recognizes an IAHCSMM member who demonstrated dedication to the advancement of education in the central service profession.
2016 winner: Gwendolyn Byrd, a continuing professional development educator at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
The Golden Slipper Award provides an opportunity for a central service professional (i.e. technician, supervisor or manager) who is committed to "service excellence" to receive formal recognition.
2016 winner: Katie Belski, a supervisor of sterile processing at Columbia St. Mary's Hospital (Milwaukee)
IAHCSMM also recognized its chapters of the year: The New Jersey Healthcare Central Service Association (large chapter), the Central Florida Association of Central Service (medium chapter) and the Mid-Ohio Central Service Professionals (small chapter).
The awards will be officially presented to the respective winners at the 2016 IAHCSMM Annual Conference and Expo later this month in San Antonio.
More articles on sterile processing:
Danbury Surgical Center chooses UVC light decontamination system for HAI prevention
10 top patient safety issues for 2016
15 facts, statistics on central sterile departments and technicians