On May 28th Central Services Professionals from all corners of New York State began an early journey to the State Capital to meet with their Legislators. The commitment of the NYSACSP members was inspiring as many had to get on the road as early as 4:00 a.m. in order to meet their first appointment at 10:00 a.m. The enthusiasm was contagious as attendees were so warmly welcomed by the legislators and their staff. Being a part of the legislative process in the very legislative building where history is made everyday validated for each of us that we can and do make a difference.

Our agenda was to meet with key members of the NY Senate and Assembly in
order to enlist their support for the Central Service Technician Legislative
bill A3220 and it’s companion bill S3737. Many of the central
service technicians and managers had never met their elected officials nor
had they been involved in a similar rally. We divided our members from
the affiliated chapters: Central NY Association of CS Professionals (Syracuse
Area), Northeastern NY Healthcare Chapter of CS Professionals (Albany
area), Western NY Association for SPD Managers (Buffalo area), Greater
Rochester & Finger
Lake Chapter of CS Professionals (Rochester area). NY City Chapter of CS
Professionals (NYC area) and the Long Island Association for CS (Long Island
area). Each chapter met with several legislators. The groups provided
background information regarding the role of a central service technician,
why it is important to have adequate education and why it is important that
legislators support the bill. One group was able to provide substantial
information to convince a legislator who opposed our bill to change his vote
in favor of the CS tech bill. We obtained commitments for support
as well as awakened the interest in some legislators who want to tour
medical facilities and visit a Central Service department; yes, we can make
a difference!
We
received encouragements as well as advice by many of the elected officials
who met with us. Overall it was a successful trip, which could have
not been possible without the financial support of the chapters and SPSMedical
who sponsored the bus for the Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester areas. We
also had several corporate sponsors who participated with us in the rally:
Advance Sterilization Products, Cygnus Medical, SPSMedical and Steris
Corporation. It
was a great experience for all! You can still make a difference by continuing
to write to your legislators and asked them to support the bills even
if you have already signed a petition. We can send as many letters as
possible. Be active in your own community in order to maintain contact with
your elected officials and continuously remind them how important the Central
Service bill is to ensure patient and staff safety.
