OFFICIAL CBSPD PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
CBSPD, Inc.
2 Industrial Park Road
Suite 3
Alpha, NJ 08865
1.908.454.9555
CBSPD@att.net

May 10, 2007

The Board of Directors of The Certification Board for Sterile Processing & Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD) announced a new credential for assessing competency of those individuals processing flexible GI endoscopes and bronchoscopes. The Board identified that a credential was needed in this practice setting due to the increasing frequency of use and sophistication of these devices. The need for this credential is driven by the need for patient safety, process improvement and the risk management issues associated with improperly processed flexible scopes.

To validate the knowledge and skills needed for competent performance in this practice setting, a Job Analysis Survey (role delineation) was developed by a group of subject matter experts in March 2007 and then evaluated by a peer review group. This survey will be posted on the CBSPD webpage beginning on May 22, 2007 for a three week period of participation (end date will be June 12, 2007). To access the survey visit the CBSPD webpage at: www.sterileprocessing.org and click on the link for the "Flexible Scope Job Analysis Survey". Anyone who is currently responsible for processing flexible GI endoscopes and bronchoscopes is encouraged to access and participate in this survey. Widespread participation will enhance the content of the Job Analysis and ensure that it is comprehensive and representative of endoscopy practices nationally. The resulting data will become the blueprint for the flexible endoscope processing certification examination. The inaugural exam is proposed for November 2007.

With this credential, the CBSPD will be the only sterile processing certification board, accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and which offers six credentials. The GI Endoscope certification examination will join the technician, supervisor, manager, Surgical Instrument Processor and Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing technician certification examinations.

Submitted by
Nancy Chobin, RN, CSPDM
Executive Director

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The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc. (CBSPD), formerly the NICHSPDP, is a non-profit Certification Board which plans, develops and administers competency-based certification examinations for personnel performing cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and inventory management activities,regardless of the setting. The CBSPD is administered by a Board of Directors who have extensive expertise in the profession of healthcare sterile processing and distribution. In 1988 the NICHSPDP was organized and founded and is incorporated in the state of New Jersey. Since its inaugural examination in 1991, the CBSPD has credentialed over 16,000 personnel internationally.
www.sterileprocessing.org