The CSAO conference 'Fundamental Reprocessing - Applications and Monitoring Quality' went extremely well this year. We had great attendance and excellent speakers. The 2 workshops received very positive feedback. These were suggested by you the members and once we get through the evaluations from this conference, we hope to make your suggestions for improvement happen.
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It was great seeing everyone at the conference in September. I really enjoyed catching up with friends both, colleagues and exhibitors as well as meeting new people. The conference planning is part of my focus as Vice President so I am already in planning mode for next year's conference.
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Click below to download information and registration form.
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Click below to see link to form and information
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As Education Director, I attended the CSANS Conference, in beautiful Baddeck Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island. The people were as warm and friendly as the island itself. Friday evening, I was able meet with the Nova Scotia executive.

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The 2011 Annual C.S.A.O. Conference, was very informative and entertaining. The three days started with a reception on Sunday. Monday morning we were greeted with a wonderful opening remark from President Lorna Coutoulas. She spoke briefly regarding an issue which would affect a few hospitals in Toronto.
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The executive had an opportunity to meet during the CSAO conference to discuss, and organize this year's meetings. Our first meeting will take place during CS week on October 13th, at Brantford General Hospital. Storz will present Laparscopic equipment, followed by Cardinal Health who will be presenting Laparscopic Testing. We will then enjoy a light dinner and cake, during our round robin discussions, and distribute small gifts.
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It has been a little over a month since our annual conference; leafs changed color, the outside temperature dropped but the event is still vivid in our minds. This year the ETA Chapter was able to sponsor 20 members who, after attending this two day event, had the opportunity to share their experience with colleagues and peers. Based on the individual evaluations received at the end of the Conference, most everyone enjoyed the Conference and were looking forward to next year’s event.
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Click below to download information and form. MEMBERSHIP EXPIRES MAY 31, 2011.
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From October 9-15, 2011, hospitals celebrated National Healthcare Central Service & Sterile Processing Week. It's a great opportunity to recognize the committed specialists that fill CS departments and make a difference in patient care throughout North America.
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Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) document with latest revisions (Feb 2010)
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Review all the standards required in your facility on the CSA website.
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The College of Physicians and Surgeons says it is investigating a doctor who operates a private Ottawa clinic that might have exposed almost 7,000 patients to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, it was announced Monday. Ottawa Public Health said the concerns surround endoscopies, a procedure in which a medical instrument is used to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of the body. Dr. Isra Levy said some infection prevention and cleaning protocols were "not always followed" at the clinic.
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Health Canada announced the release of the final version of the Guidance Document: Information to Be Provided by Manufacturers for the Reprocessing and Sterilization of Reusable Medical Devices. A draft version of this guidance document was first published and released for consultation in 2006. Comments from stakeholders and the Scientific Advisory Panel on Reprocessing of Medical Devices have been considered in producing this final version.
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The routine practices and additional precautions set out in this document must be practiced in all settings where health care is provided, across the continuum of health care. This includes settings where emergency(including pre-hospital) care is provided, hospitals, complex continuing care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, long-term care homes, outpatient clinics, community health centres and clinics, physician offices, dental offices, offices of other health professionals, public health and home health care.
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Last year, dozens of women who had been treated at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas opened their mail and found a letter that read, "We would like to let you know that you may have been exposed to a speculum that may not have been properly sterilized." Two days later, another letter informed them "there is one additional piece of information that we need to tell you": they should abstain from sex or use condoms to prevent infecting their partner. Then a third letter told another group of women that instruments used during their baby's delivery may not have been cleaned properly.
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Peel packs are available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. They come as ready-made pouches or tubing (roll type stock), fit for the large variety of items in hospitals. The regular ranges of products are manufactured of medical grade paper and plastic film and are suitable for sterilization in steam and EO processes.
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The written instructions of the device manufacturer should always be followed. The reusable medical device manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that the device can be effectively cleaned and sterilized. Sterilization qualification of a device requires microbiological, engineering, toxicological, and sometimes clinical evaluations of the device, which are well beyond the abilities of most healthcare facilities.
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We are very pleased to put out the October e-newsletter. I hope everyone had a great summer and had a chance to attend this year's annual CSAO conference September 12 and 13 in Toronto.

This e-newsletter will provide updates and information from the Executive Committee, Chapter reports and other articles and links related to Standards, Conferences and Educational opportunities.

Please let me know if you have any ideas to add to any upcoming newsletters.

Louis

louis.konstant@sickkids.ca