The primary goal of the CSSD Forums of South Africa is to promote and encourage the implementation of principles and practices of decontamination in the entire sterile supply cycle. The Forum will hold regular workshops to provide Sterile Supply personnel with information to assist them to perform their functions correctly. The Forum will produce regular newsletters for the interest of the members. The Forum will liaise with other related disciplines to achieve its objectives.
On 16th July 2003, the Western Cape CSSD Forum was formed. A practical demonstration on Traceability Systems was organised and 24 people from 14 hospitals attended. A committee was elected and proposed goals for the CSSD were discussed.
TOPICS DISCUSSED AT WESTERN CAPE CSSD FORUM WORKSHOPS
2003
Traceability Systems(14 hospitals, 24 attendees)
The Workflow and Principles of CSSD(15 hospitals, 21 attendees)
2004
Managing the Autoclave(14 hospitals, 47 attendees)
Human Relationships in the Group
How to Function in the Group
Effective Packing of an Autoclave
(22 hospitals, 53 attendees)
Care and Handling of Instruments(23 hospitals, 72 attendees)
Sterility Assurance(17 hospitals, 55 attendees)
Standard Procedures in the CSSD as Maintained and Regulated by the Hospital Infection Control Committee(20 hospitals, 56 attendees)
Linen in the CSSD(16 hospitals, 45 attendees)
2005
Care & Maintenance of Instruments(15 hospitals, 35 attendees)
Packing in SSD(18 hospitals, 47 attendees)
Shelf Life "Event Related vs Expiry Date"(17 hospitals, 51 attendees)
Questionnaire On Hospital Sterile Services(20 hospitals, 52 attendees)
Low Temperature Sterilization by ETO / By Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma(15 hospitals, 39 attendees)
A number of companies are actively involved in the Western Cape CSSD Forum and assist by sponsoring the catering, assisting with administrative functions and also have representatives on the committee.
The KwaZulu Natal CSSD Forum was started in January 2005. The committee is mainly represented by the trade who dedicate their time and support to the forum. The forum aims at having one meeting every quarter and rotate the venue between private and provincial hospitals.
TOPICS DISCUSSED AT KWAZULU NATAL CSSD FORUM WORKSHOPS
The SafMed Foundation and Advanced Foundation Courses in Sterilization and Decontamination give a brief orientation to all aspects of the CSSD. As part of SafMed's contribution to the community, this course is offered free of charge to anyone that works in the sterile services environment where infection control and specifically decontamination is paramount.
The Advanced Foundation Course is aimed specifically at managers and supervisors, runs over 2 days, and has a practical component on risk assessment.
The Foundation Course is a 5-hour workshop with a short 30-minute competency exam at the end. In order to be issued with a SafMed certificate, students must attain at least 80%.
The Foundation Course will cover the following:
History of Sterile Services
Standard of Care and Legal Implications
Infection Prevention
The Decontamination and Sterilization Process
The Principles of Cleaning
Principals of Inspection of Medical Devices
Principles of Assembly and Packaging
Steam Sterilization Practice
Storage and Distribution
The Advanced Foundation Course will cover the following:
Relevant Legislation
Health and Safety assessment
Basic Microbiology
Sterilization Methods
Monitoring, Tracking and Recording
Risk Assessment
Quality Assurance
Contact Information In order to attend these courses an application form must be submitted, which can be obtained from SafMed's co-ordinators, as follows:
Languages: IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2%
Religion: Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, other Christian 36%, Islam 1.5%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1%
Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights
Time Zone: GMT +2hrs
Currency: South African Rand [ZAR]
Location
South Africa is at the southern tip of the continent of Africa.
With a total of 4,862 km land boundaries, South Africa shares borders with
Botswana (1,840 km),
Lesotho (909 km),
Mozambique (491 km),
Namibia (967 km),
Swaziland (430 km), and
Zimbabwe (225 km).
![[02/09/2010] WFHSS Conference 2010 Session 2 The Effects of Steam Sterilization on Stainless Steel Instruments by Professor L'Hocine Yahia (Canada)](/bmecms/assets/b17x11_new1.gif){kind=small}
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Information about South Africa