May is upon us, and the golfing season officially has begun. It's always nice to be back on the greens, but you'll have to wait another year to see me in The Masters!

As the weather becomes warmer, things also continue to heat up at ASHCSP. The society has moved forward with its feasibility study on conducting a joint convention with IAHCSMM in 2005. We have received positive feedback from members and vendors regarding this possibility. Leaders from both organizations are working together toward the shared goal of strengthening and advancing the central service/sterile processing profession.

If you have never attended a conference, I urge you to come to San Antonio. This year's speaker lineup is outstanding and the educational session topics are timely. Where else will you find a full-day symposium on reuse, in addition to sessions on disaster readiness, CJD, computer use and more?

This year is ASHCSP's 35th anniversary. Long-timers should attend to receive a commemorative pin, as well as to see old friends and make new ones.

Receptions and outings to San Antonio's famed Riverwalk will provide ample networking opportunities. Several sponsors, who are listed on the Web site, generously have donated time and money to ensure this conference is special, so extend a thank you when you see them.

The recall on bronchoscopes issued by Olympus and the FDA advisory on medical devices manufactured by A&A have given CS professionals much to think about.

Log on to ashcsp.org to read recommendations for the care and handling of instruments, and also for instruments used on patients believed to have CJD. Patient safety is always our concern, and refresher guideline and procedure knowledge is always a good idea.

Bryant C. Broder, CSPDT, ACSP
Manager, surgery processing
Saint Mary's Mercy Medical Center
Grand Rapids, Mich.
(616) 752-6244
[email protected]

Books marked

The new edition of the workbook that accompanies the fourth edition of the Training Manual for Central Service Technicians has arrived. It is the second in a series of three volumes designed to enhance the learning experience for central service personnel who are being trained from the manual.

The most important elements of each chapter of the Training Manual for Central Service Technicians have been captured in the workbook. This publication has a variety of test questions created with the student in mind.

To order your copy, log on to the home page and click on the link to the online store, or call (800) 242-2626 and provide the following information:

Product number: 031831

Title: Training Manual for Central Service Technicians--Workbook

Members: $50

Nonmembers: $60

Thinking of becoming certified? Let ASHCSP help. The Certification Review Guide for Managers can be a beneficial aid as you prepare for the NICHSPDP certification examination. A variety of such topics as fiscal management, personnel management, sterile processing, sterile distribution and inventory control are included.

NICHSPDP certification is a valuable asset to your professional growth.

Product number: 013836

Members: $45

Nonmembers: $55

Staying in touch means staying informed

The winter 2002 issue of the ASHCSP newsletter, Healthcare Central Service, marked one of the society's first efforts to deliver more information to members electronically.

It was sent via e-mail in an attempt to free printing funds for other projects. The society also will be sending monthly electronic updates, so it's important to provide your e-mail address. Please send the contact information form that was faxed in April.

If something noteworthy has happened in your department, ASHCSP would like to know about it. The society wants to stay informed about innovative programs and ideas, and your experiences with other professionals. Have you developed a new strategy to address an old problem, or a new program/procedure/approach that is working well for your CS department? If so, send information to Sarah Oaks, director of marketing and communications, at [email protected], or call her at (312) 422-3863. Your story may be featured in an upcoming newsletter or e-mail update.

This article first appeared in the May 2002 issue of Materials Management in Health Care