“Innovation: The Second Annual Ohio Sterile Processing Association Meeting” was held October 1-3, 2010, at the Cherry Valley Lodge in Newark, OH. The three-day event highlighted an emphasis on “innovation” and how the sterile processing profession must be innovative to meet the challenges of a dynamic work environment. All four Ohio-based IAHCSMM Chapters worked together to present the event to foster team building and to promote state mandated certification.

Dr. Wava Truscott was the kickoff speaker on Friday night and gave a detailed presentation on “Bio-Film: The Things You Never Thought of” to over 45 attendees. She engaged the audience with the science and the consequences of allowing bio-films to form and contaminate medical devices. Martha Young later gave updates on AAMI ST79 with a team exercise via the Jeopardy game. The six teams were evenly matched throughout the night until the final Jeopardy question was asked. Prizes were awarded to the top three winning teams.

The second day of the conference had 72 in attendance and was lead by Richard Schule, former IAHCSMM President and current Director of Education for the Steris Corporation. Richard gave a presentation on adapting new products and technologies. Other notable presentations were given by nationally known speakers such as Nancy Chobin, Rose Seavey and Diana Chamberlin.

On last day finished strong with the IAHCSMM educator Natalie Lind on “Instilling Confidence in CSPD”, Wayne McPeek on CSPD Safety, and with our Ohio organization President, Sandy Maupin on “The Cost of Patient Safety.” Several pictures (attached) show several of our presenters during the seminar.

Several attendees commented that the Ohio conference was “actually like the national conference” but in “our own back yard”. Many positive comments were shared with regards to the accommodations, the meals, and the “world-class” caliber of the speakers. At the end of the day, 13 CEUs were awarded to the attendees. The message of the importance of the development of new CSPD technology and striving toward patient safety with state certification was carried back to the many healthcare facilities represented. The folks at Cherry Valley did a wonderful job and treated our quests to a comfortable and wonderful learning experience.

I would like to thank the committee of Sandy Maupin, Marie Long, Kay Huston, Rod Chamberlin, Rafael Fernandez, Kathy Ly, and John Best for making the second annual meeting a success. Please mark your calendars for next year’s event at the same location.

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

David Narance, CRCST, RN, BSN
Reprocessing Manager/Clinician
MedCentral Health System
335 Glessner Ave. • Mansfield, OH 44903
(419) 526-8372 • Fax: (419) 526-8832