The Public Service Association (PSA) as a key stake holder in SA Health Services has received advice from Dr Stephen Christley Chief Public Health Officer/Executive Director Public Health and Clinical Coordination of Department of Health plans to undertake a review of sterilisation and reprocessing in all public metropolitan and country hospitals in South Australia.

The review is aimed at ensuring that processes meet standards prescribed in AS/NZS 4187:2003. The review will be conducted in three phases:

1. Country Hospitals

2. Metropolitan Hospitals

3. Analysis of options for electronic instrument tracking systems.

The first stage of the review, Country Hospitals, will commence in July 2009 and be completed by October 2009.

The review of metropolitan hospitals is expected by February 2010 and the last stage should be completed by May 2010.

The review will be coordinated by a Steering Committee and supported by two reference groups; one for country hospitals, the other for metropolitan hospitals.

Regular reports will be made available at the Department of Health Industrial Liaison Committee meetings.

PSA members are encouraged to nominate at their workplace for the reference groups.

PSA/CPSU WORKING FOR HEALTH MEMBERS