3M Launches Standards Practice Program to Improve HealthCare Facility Compliance with Sterilization Practices

To help customers continually improve sterilization practices within their healthcare facilities, 3M today introduced the Standards Practice Program.  This multi-faceted on- and off-line resource will enable healthcare facilities to easily monitor and comply with sterilization monitoring recommended practices outlined in AAMI, AORN and CDC guidelines.

“Standards organizations constantly strive to promote best practices within the profession, offering recommended guidelines for safe and effective use of sterilization devices,” said Patti Koncur, corporate director of central sterile processing at Detroit Medical Center.  “The 3M program packages this critical information for healthcare professionals so that they can easily understand and follow recommended practices for sterilization.”

Facilities enrolled in the Standards Practice Program will receive a Putting Standards into Practice Customer Kit that includes exclusive CE-credited education resources as well as instructional guides on appropriate monitoring, frequency and interpretation of monitoring results.  Enrollees will also have access to the 3M™ Attest™ Sterile U Network. 

Any organization looking for tips and tools to help stay current on updated policies and procedures, can visit a free 3M Web site featuring Web meeting recordings highlighting key changes in ANSI/AAMI ST7, policies and procedures templates and Standards Q&A.  The site can be accessed at: www.3m.com/StandardsPractice.  The 3M Standards Practice Web site will also be featured in the 3M booth at the IAHCSMM Conference in San Diego on May 4.

“Our customers’ primary focus is patient safety, and as their partner, 3M shares that mission,” said Diane Koch, marketing manager, 3M Infection Prevention Division.  “Through initiatives like the Standards Practice Program, we strive to empower our customers with educational resources and monitoring products that reduce the risk of a non-sterile device being used for a patient procedure.”

Healthcare professionals can pledge their commitment to sterilization standards by signing the Standards Practice Graffiti Wall at www.SterilizationStandardsMatter.com.  Each person to pledge their commitment on the Wall by June 15, 2010, will be entered into a drawing to win a free ANSI/AAMI ST79-A2:2009.  Winners will be announced by June 30, 2010.