Tuesday, September 18, 2007

ASHCSP - IAHCSMM Merger

ASHCSP dropped a bombshell at its annual conference in St. Louis today (Tuesday, September 18) announcing it’s intent to merge with IAHCSMM. The breaking news, if finalized, will unite the profession’s two pre-eminent educational associations – one on the eve of its 40th anniversary (ASHCSP) and the other on the eve of its 50th (IAHCSMM). Talk of the two associations merging has ebbed and flowed with passion for more than two decades at least. Today’s newsflash propels the debate farther than it’s ever gone. What do you think this will mean for the unified association? What will this mean for the sterile processing profession, in terms of influence with other associations, such as AAMI, APIC and AORN, as well as AHRMM? How do you think this will affect certification? Will a unified front finally usher in a golden era of sterile processing where the profession garners the respect it deserves within their individual facilities and the medical profession? Tell us what you think.
Posted by at

12 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2007 at 12:14 PM

    Long over due. As in most Healthcare settings, the duplication of products and services is inefficient and costly. It is gratifying to see the professional associations realize. I am certain the CS professional as well as the supporting vendor community will see the benefits.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2007 at 12:40 PM

    This is something that has been in the works for a long time, with previous efforts in this direction failing to be completed. The merger of these two orgainizations will give Central Service workers and Sterile Processing professionals an organization that will provide education and can look out for their professional needs at the legislative level. Congratulations to the leadership of these organizations for bringing this action to a fruitful end.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2007 at 1:16 PM

    LONG OVERDUE, GLAD TO SEE THE UNION TO TAKE PLACE.
    LARRY PARSONS BECKLEY,WV

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2007 at 5:22 PM

    This is an incredible step for everyone in the Central Services / Sterile Processing profession. I want to congratulate the Boards of Directors of both ASHCSP and IAHCSMM on this difficult decision and historic step at unification! We, as a profession, can only be stronger as a result. It brings together the best of both. One Organization! One voice!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2007 at 7:57 PM

    IAHCSMM’s Professional Resource and Development Council (PDRC) applauds the merger of ASHCSP and IAHCSMM. We look forward to working with our colleagues from ASHCSP in the coming weeks and months to further our mutual goals of providing quality education, certification, and support for CS professionals.



    Lisa Huber, Patti Koncur, Natalie Lind, Cheron Rojo, Jean Sargent

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2007 at 9:15 PM

    Way long over due. I am glad that they have finaly taken the plunge and got their act together. Now maybe we can get things done like making it manditory that all hospitals require their CS departments have certified CS techs.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2007 at 9:20 AM

    I think this is a good move by both membership organizations and for the profession of CS/SPD. To have one strong voice at the legislative level, bringing the continuing educational opportunities that both organizations have together and providing a strong voice addressing the issues in CS/SPD are all good things. Will look forward to this happening.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2007 at 11:51 AM

    wow!! What a great move on behalf of both organizations. It will give our profession uniformity and leadership that will benifit all. I was always torn on which organization to be affiliated with.
    Barb Pankey,CRCST
    CS/Sterile Processing Manager

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2007 at 1:20 PM

    A larger, unified organization has a much greater opportunity to have an impact at the hospital level and the state/federal level. This profession is under-recognized and under-appreciated; more voices saying the same thing at the same time should strengthen the support for certification, standardization, following of AAMI Guidelines, etc. Additionally, it will provide a much more accessible way for groups like AORN and SGNA to interact with and collaborate with Sterile Processing professionals. I applaud the courage of the current ASHCSP and IAHCSMM boards for making this happen at last!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2007 at 6:40 PM

    I agree with many, it's long over due. It was attempted in '98 but it fell apart. I am glad to see we are once again on the right track to promoting a vital service to the healthcare community.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2007 at 12:06 PM

    The merger is perfect for the industry. Long overdue. Ultimately, the patient will benefit. On behalf of the executive management team and everyone at Spectrum Surgical Instruments, congratulations to both organizations.

    Derek Lashua, Marketing Director
    Rick Schultz, President/CEO
    Alex Vrancich, Vice President/General Manager
    Spectrum Surgical Instruments Corp.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMay 17, 2008 at 10:57 PM

    I am so happy this has finally happened. I always felt having two different associations made it appear to others there was a lack of uniformity and teamwork on the part of the CS profession which is fartherest from the truth. Having been in CS for a long time both as a manager and technician I feel this will move us forward and help us to garner the recognition the CS Professionals deserve and help the facilities and the states to move toward mandatory certification for all CS Professionals.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)