Senate passes Grisanti bill that requires certification and education for central service technicians in hospitals

State Sen. Mark Grisanti, R-60^th, has announced that the State Senate has voted to pass bill S.5155B, which he said will improve the quality control procedures in hospitals throughout New York. This bill will require individuals who work in the supply of central services to hospitals to be certified and undergo continuing education.

In most hospitals, central service technicians prepare, distribute and control the sterile and non-sterile items and equipment used in all areas of the hospital. Central service personnel are responsible for decontamination, cleaning, processing, assembling, sterilization, storing and distributing medical devices and supplies used in patient care. They are primarily located in the operating room where their skills and accuracy can influence the successful outcome of a surgery. A primary responsibility is cleaning and sterilizing surgical and diagnostic equipment and medical devices. They also have a large role in the proper handling of hazardous materials so that pathogens such as hepatitis, herpes and HIV are not passed on to other staff and patients.

"It is great for the safety of every patient in a hospital that the Senate has passed this bill today," Grisanti said Friday. "The role of the central service technician is vital to all patient care in the health care facility. In an effort to decrease incidents of infection, this bill will require continuing education in addition to initial certification for those who occupy this important role. Quality Improvement in the hospital setting can make a huge difference in the length of stay, overall costs and health of the patient. This is one step toward improving health care quality statewide."