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Press Release

 

Nearly 200 receive ASHES online education
New Infection Control Program Begins in March

Chicago, February 9, 2010 - In 2009 the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES), of the American Hospital Association, launched comprehensive educational programs targeting all levels of experience. Close to 200 professionals embraced online educational courses and over 15 members shared their knowledge and experience as course facilitators. Ninety-seven percent of participants who responded to the evaluation survey indicated high satisfaction level with the overall learning experience.

The programs consisted of:

  • Front-line staff training
    From Top To Bottom: The Environmental Services Series     - With more than 971 sold to healthcare facilities across the Nation, this three-part DVD video series on training solutions for frontline environmental services (ES) staff focuses on infection control practices, cleaning patient rooms and cleaning the operating room.
     
  • Supervisor training
    Online Supervisory Course     - For the new supervisor or manager, this ten week, self directed program covers areas such as: environmental sanitation, microbiology, management and distribution of work, customer service, quality assurance and provides program participants the opportunity to collaborate, interact, problem solve and complete a targeted final project.
     
  • Manager training
    CHESP Study Group     - CHESP candidates or potential candidates will collaborate, interact, review material, and ultimately, help each other prepare for the exam. This course focuses on seven content areas as identified in the exam: Regulatory Compliance, Design and Construction, Environmental Sanitation, Waste Management, Textile Management, Finance and Administration.
     
  • Director training
    Environmental Services Directors or Managers: Departmental Development & Improvement Course     - This online course is designed as a refresher for seasoned managers or as a primer for aspiring healthcare environmental services directors. The content is focused on conducting an OSHA internal environmental audit, Quality Improvement, Process Improvement, applying the Environmental Services Role in Achieving the Institute for Medicine Six Aims for Improvement to the project work and Writing a Business Plan.

In 2010 ASHES is responding to member needs by expanding the ASHES educational platform offerings. To that end, ASHES has developed the Infection Control for Non-clinical Healthcare Workers online program. The course is designed with non-clinical health care staff in mind. The content covers a wide spectrum of infection control topics - from a brief introduction to the microbiology of organisms such as Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile to transmission, prevention and employee protection. The course also includes content on disease outbreak, precautions, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), guidance documents from the CDC and OSHA standards for Blood Borne Pathogens (BBP).

"Because our members work closely with infection control preventionists and carry out the first line of defense against infection in healthcare facilities, we aimed to ensure this course incorporated all the elements identified in the 'Infection Prevention Competencies for Hospital Based Healthcare Workers' research by Ruth Carrico, PhD, RN, CIC, et all,"  said Patti Costello, ASHES Executive Director. "In addition to incorporating the competencies outlined in Dr. Carrico's research, we distributed this course to ASHES members and infection preventionists for review and comment."

Infection Control for Non-clinical Healthcare Workers will begin on Monday, March 1, 2010. Registration is now open. For additional information about all ASHES educational courses can be obtained at www.ashes.org or by calling 312-422-3860.


About ASHES

The American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES) is the premier professional association that represents, defines, and advances the healthcare environmental services profession as well as, housekeeping, waste management and textile care professionals in healthcare. ASHES provides educational programs, opportunities to network with peers on a national level, recognition for personal and professional achievements, as well as affiliation and collaboration with the American Hospital Association on public policy and advocacy issues related to environmental services. See www.ashes.org for more information.

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