AORN, AAMI to respond to The Joint Commission
By Matt Gunn
News Editor/Writer
AORN and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) plan to respond to the recent update on steam sterilization from The Joint Commission.
The Joint Commission in June updated its position on steam sterilization. The accrediting organization intends to focus its survey efforts on the three critical steps of sterilization: Cleaning and decontamination; Sterilization; and Storage.
“First I want to applaud The Joint Commission for improving their steam sterilization process,” said Ramona Conner, RN, MSN, CNOR, AORN manager of Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices.
There is, however, an opportunity for AORN and AAMI to formally address The Joint Commission’s update and ensure there is enough information on the use of flash steam sterilization, in particular, Conner said.
“AORN’s reaction is that we have been in contact with AAMI, and we are planning on joining in requesting open discussions with The Joint Commission related to the use of flash steam sterilization and how best to provide their members with information on best practices,” she said.
More education on flash steam sterilization could be beneficial for those trying to navigate the new Joint Commission language, particularly because the practice of flashing has a number of variables and is not standardized at all facilities.
“All of these variables have to be considered when one is defining sterilization procedures,” Conner said.
Conner is currently drafting a letter to be sent jointly from AORN and AAMI to The Joint Commission toward the end of August. Read the September issue of AORN Management Connections for an update on AORN and AAMI’s communication with The Joint Commission.
Read more news in AORN Management Connections.