The Office of Sterile Processing (OSP)
STERILE PROCESSING WEEK
STERILE PROCESSING WEEK - October 8-14, 2023
Sterile Processing Week, (formerly named ‘International Central Service Week’) recognizes the committed specialists that fill Sterile Processing departments and make a difference in patient care. Held annually, Sterile Processing Week starts with the second Sunday in October.
Sterile Processing Week provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the unsung heroes that fill VHA Sterile Processing departments across the nation. These dedicated professionals are vital to medical center operations as they support patient care by processing surgical instruments and reusable medical devices to ensure that the right product is available, for the right user, in the right condition, at the right time and ready for use.
VA celebrates these dedicated professionals for all their outstanding achievements—not just this week, but year-round! It is our hope that Sterile Processing Week brings the appreciation and respect so greatly deserved. VA recognizes you as an essential contributor to patient safety and quality service
Despite the critical staffing shortage in the field, sterile processing staff reprocessed over 10 million highly complex medical devices for over 190 VHA medical facilities in FY23, following precise manufacturer’s instruction for use on disassembly, decontamination, assembly, inspection, and sterilization ensuring each device was safe for use on our Veteran patients.
We are immensely grateful to each and every one of our Sterile Processing professionals. Thank you for the tireless dedication that you put into your work each day to ensure clean and sterile instruments are available for our Veteran patients.
