DVN GL announces first US sterile processing certification

Editor's Note

Healthcare accreditation organization DNV GL Healthcare on November 7 launched the first sterile processing program certification in the US.

The program recognizes excellence in an organization’s sterile processing department within the scope of infection prevention and control, surgical services, endoscopic services, and related departments.

An important part of the certification process is that the sterile processing department is required to engage in continuous process improvement, which includes:

• staff discussion and presentation of quality improvement initiatives, performance measures, and/or clinical indicators at least quarterly
• quarterly testing of instruments and equipment to validate all sterilization processes.

DNV GL Healthcare accredits more than 500 hospitals in 49 states.