Who We Are
The purpose of the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) is to provide Sterile Processing (SP) professionals with educational opportunities, professional development, and certification.
INSTRUMENTAL TO PATIENT CARE
INSTRUMENTAL TO YOU!
Because Sterile Processing (SP) professionals are responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, sterilizing, and distributing medical and surgical instrumentation, they are among the most vital contributors to the delivery of safe, high-quality patient care. For more than 60 years, HSPA has been providing these professionals with the broadest range of certification and continuing education offerings available, along with the unsurpassed support that only a full-service membership organization can bring.
This commitment to advancing Sterile Processing (SP) knowledge, skill sets and professionalism is why over 50,000 members and certification holders rely on HSPA to keep them sharp, focused and abreast of the very latest standards, best practices and technological advancements impacting the SP profession.
PROFESSIONALS INSTRUMENTAL TO PATIENT SAFETY
COMMUNICATION
To share association and profession-related information in an open and timely manner with members, allied partners, associates, and the public
EDUCATION
To advance knowledge and achieve excellence at all levels of Sterile Processing and in associated professions
PROFESSIONALISM
To deliver professional performance and quality through integrity, accountability, trust, ethics, and collaboration
LEADERSHIP
To serve as the leading Sterile Processing organization by providing educational opportunities; creating an environment to promote patient safety; and mentoring and developing new leaders
ADVOCACY
To promote the Sterile Processing profession on international, national, state, and local levels and to support issues that advance the profession and patient safety
EXCELLENCE
To strive for excellence within the Sterile Processing profession by promoting quality performance and education
MISSION
The mission of HSPA is to promote patient safety worldwide by raising the level of expertise and recognition for those in the Sterile Processing profession. HSPA accomplishes this:
- By providing educational, professional development, certification, communication, and representation opportunities for Sterile Processing professionals;
- Through collaborative efforts with allied partners, members, and associates; and
- Through advocacy initiatives for public policy changes.
VISION
Safe patient care for every medical and healthcare procedure through sterile processing.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
Everyone’s Story: HSPA’s Foundation to Patient Safety
Together, we build an inclusive and equitable culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and backgrounds of our members. Our commitment to inclusion spans race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, identity, age, religion, disabilities and experience, allowing us to embrace differences, learn from one another and make continuous improvements, personally and professionally. We believe everyone’s unique qualities and backgrounds help contribute to the success of the Sterile Processing profession and patient safety.
HISTORY AND TIMELINE
HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM) began in 1958 with visionary– Mary Helen Anderson– who gathered like-minded colleagues to share information that related to the Central Service/Sterile Processing profession. Over the ensuing five decades, the Association’s members have built a solid, respectable profession by defining their unique position and establishing training, certification, continuing education, and a quest for quality customer service and patient care.
This is all accomplished in an environment of compassion and dedication — for patients who frequently never know of the Sterile Processing professionals who provided the clean and sterile instruments and equipment that supported their care and recovery.
Together, HSPA and the thousands of members it serves combine the best in human nature–the drive for excellence for the sake and wellbeing of others.
2024
HSPA Membership/Certification
tops 50,000
2022
The Association formerly adopts the new name
Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA)
2021
IAHCSMM Membership/Certification
tops 40,000
2020
IAHCSMM’s Annual Conference
goes Virtual due to COVID-19.
e-Newsletter,
Central Source,
Gets a New Name – insights
2019
The Periodical, Communique,
Gets a New Name – PROCESS
2018
IAHCSMM Celebrates
60th Anniversary
IAHCSMM Membership/Certification
tops 30,000
2017
CER
Certification Debuts
2016
IAHCSMM Foundation
Launched
2015
IAHCSMM Celebrates
50th Anniversary
2013
IAHCSMM Membership
tops 20,000
2010
IAHCSMM Government
Affairs / Advocacy program initiated
2010
CCSVP
Certification Debuts
2009
e-Newsletter
Central Source Debuts
2008
IAHCSMM Celebrates
50th Anniversary in Reno, Nevada
2007
ASHCSP Membership merged with IAHCSMM,
creating one membership and
certifying organization for Central Service
2006
CIS
Certification Debuts
2005
IAHCSMM’s Slogan,
Instrumental to Patient Care, is trademarked
2001
A Discussion Forum
is created on the Association’s Website
1999
The Website www.iahcsmm.org,
launches;
IAHCSMM Membership reaches 10,000
1989
The Association formerly adopts the new name
International Association of Healthcare Central Service
Material Management (IAHCSMM)
1987
CHL
Certification Debuts
1983
Central Service Week
becomes the 2nd week in October annually
1981
Purdue University
starts offering correspondence training courses
1979
Recertification Programs
are put in place
1976
Awards are first given
for outstanding achievements
in Central Service
1971
Formal Certification
begins
1970
The Periodical, Communique,
is Introduced
1964
First Annual Meeting
held in New York, New York
1958
The National Association of Hospital Central
Service is created with a membership of less
than 100 individuals (to later become IAHCSMM)