sterile processing
By Julie E . Williamson
Sterile Processing Certification Legislation Updates : Current Status , 2022 Plans
Sterile processing ( SP ) functions involve challenging work , focus , attention to detail , and acquired knowledge and skill sets to ensure each task is performed safely , effectively , and in line with best practices , standards / regulations , and manufacturers ’ instructions for use ( IFUs ). Healthcare organizations that prioritize certification for their SP professionals will help ensure improved service quality , patient safety and infection prevention .
The International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management ( IAHCSMM )’ s top legislative priority is ensuring certification of all SP technicians across the country . Connecticut , New Jersey , New York , Tennessee and Pennsylvania are currently the sole states to require certification of SP technicians ; however , IAHCSMM ’ s government affairs director and Advocacy Committee are working hard to get certification legislation passed in other states .
In 2020 , Pennsylvania became the fifth state to require certification of SP technicians . Getting the bill across the legislative finish line was a five-year process and a big win for the profession considering the pandemic-related changes that impacted states legislatures . Pennsylvania state legislators were the only individuals allowed in the building for a period , and similar precautions were seen in other states . Testimonies were held remotely and some legislative sessions , such as those in Rhode Island , took place with legislators shielded by plastic partitions , explained Josephine ( Jo ) Colacci , Esq ., IAHCSMM ’ s director of government affairs , during her Oct . 22 session at IAHCSMM ’ s 2021 Virtual Conference & Expo .
“ We didn ’ t do as much in 2021 because of COVID-19 . I was concerned how it was going to impact legislatures and a lot of state budgets got hit , too , so we pulled back a bit on our status for 2021 ,” she said .
In Colorado , IAHCSMM planned to reintroduce its legislation in 2021 . Although the certification bill had passed the state Senate and the House Committee , Colorado ’ s legislators recessed in 2020 due to the pandemic . When they reconvened , only a couple weeks remained in the year . Colacci learned that the governor would potentially veto the legislation , so the remainder of 2020 and into 2021 saw IAHCSMM reworking the bill . When the governor ’ s office still indicated the governor would veto the legislation , Colacci decided not to reintroduce it at that time .
“ There ’ s supposed to be a large piece of legislation introduced in January 2022 that is going to change how Colorado regulates professions . When that happens , we ’ ll then reintroduce our legislation .”
In Massachusetts , where IAHCSMM first introduced a latefile bill in 2014 , the process has been slow . The certification legislation passed the state Senate twice and made it to the final reading in the House in 2016 ; however , progress stalled
thereafter . Fortunately , IAHCSMM ’ s testimony during an Oct . 15 , 2021 , committee hearing with the Joint Public Health Committee proved promising .
“ I gave them the history that we passed out of their committee three times ,” Colacci said , adding that the committee chairwoman acknowledged that the wait had been long and thanked Colacci for continuing to bring the legislation and its importance to their attention . Massachusetts has a two-year legislative cycle that ends in December 2022 , and Colacci is hopeful the bill will be signed into law before then .
In Florida , a bill is being drawn up and will be introduced as soon as the state legislature convenes in March 2022 . Florida ’ s legislative sessions last only two months , concluding in April 2022 . IAHCSMM is working with a lobbyist in Florida , and a sponsor for the bill has already been identified .
“ We ’ re hoping all this prework will bode well for us when this bill is introduced ,” said Colacci . Still , she reminds that whenever a new bill is introduced in a state , organizations tend to come forward to comment and , at times , challenge some bill language , which can slow progress .
“ There ’ s a good change our bill will not pass in its first year , but at least we ’ ll be introducing it , so we ’ ll know which issues arise and we can redraft and reintroduce the bill for 2023 .”
Colacci shared an exciting development at the federal level as well — legislation that would allow for COVID-19 hazard pay ( for work done in 2020 and 2021 ). Currently , the legislation applies to a long list of professionals , including surgical assistants and surgical technicians , and IAHCSMM hired a lobbyist with the Association of Surgical Technologists to get sterile processors included in the legislation . The federal lobbyist ’ s first step will be arranging meetings between Colacci and some sub-committee members , so Colacci can explain why sterile processors should be included in that piece of legislation .
“ Once we get that , and I believe we will , we will then ask them to move the legislation .” She cautioned that this piece of legislation may not move as a standalone bill . Smaller pieces of legislation often get packed into larger bill packages , and she expects that will happen to move this legislation .
She urged IAHCSMM members to watch their emails for action alerts that will ask members to contact their federal elected officials ( a simple process that requires little more than a couple keyboard clicks and an electronic signature ). “ This bill will be alive until December 2022 , and we ’ ll need many people contacting their federal legislators to try and get them to push this bill forward .”
Julie E . Williamson is director of communications for the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management ( IAHCSMM ).
www . healthcarehygienemagazine . com • november 2021
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