AAMI Offers Webinar on Updates to ST79 Steam Sterilization Standard

The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) will host a webinar that discusses the recent amendments and updates to AAMI's landmark recommended practice for hospital steam sterilization, ANSI/AAMI ST79, Comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility assurance in healthcare facilities.   

This webinar will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013,  from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET. The speaker is Martha L. Young, BS, MS, CSPDT, of Martha L. Young, LLC.

The most recent amendment replaces the term "flash sterilization" with "immediate use steam sterilization" to better reflect current practice; provides guidance to sterile processing professionals on the different ways that chemical indicators may be classified; and adds, deletes, or updates definitions to reflect changes elsewhere in the document. The amendment also provides updates to the design considerations section, updates recommendations in the personnel considerations section, updates the section on handling, collection, and transportation of contaminated items, and updates the section on cleaning and other decontamination processes to reflect current best practices in the field.  In addition to discussing those changes, the speaker will discuss the 10 things your organization can do now to improve reprocessing, and will address documents being developed by AAMI. 
 
After attending the webinar, participants will be able to:
1. Identify which AAMI ST79 is available in your department so you can update or purchase the more correct recommended practice.
2. Discuss the most recent amendment (e.g., A3:2012) published November 2012.
3. Discuss the 10 things your organization can do now to improve reprocessing.
4. Describe the new documents being developed by AAMI.
 
The cost is $79 per registrant for AAMI members and $99 per registrant for non-members. For more information and to register, call (800) 373-3174.