Challenges and high stakes in sterile processing 

Sterile processing plays a vital yet often under-recognized role in healthcare quality, patient safety, and infection prevention. It is an essential function that supports the success, safety, and efficacy of care provided across the organization. Inadequate sterilization can lead to infections, surgery delays, costly rework, and broader system impacts including patient harm, reputational damage, and noncompliance with accreditation standards. As healthcare systems grow more complex and face greater scrutiny, strong sterile processing protocols are critical to delivering safe, high-quality care. 

Forward-thinking organizations are increasingly turning to third-party certification to validate and enhance their sterile processing programs to ensure safety, efficiency, and excellence throughout the care pathway. 

What Is ASPC and how does it support you? 

DNV’s Advanced Sterile Processing Certification (ASPC) is a comprehensive, performance-driven recognition that validates a sterile processing program meets stringent safety and quality standards. The certification evaluates end-to-end sterilization practices, including workflows, staff competency, equipment maintenance, and adherence to evidence-based guidelines from AAMI, AORN, and the CDC. 

ASPC ensures that sterile instruments and devices are properly processed, stored, and delivered to reduce infection risk and enable safe, efficient surgical procedures. Certification is granted following a thorough on-site survey and remains valid for three years, with annual assessments to verify ongoing compliance and performance. 

•  Certification verifies that your facility: Maintains sterile instruments and devices that meet or exceed industry safety standards. 
• Operates with a robust quality management system. 
• Trains and empowers staff with ongoing education and competency verification. 
• Maintains rigorous infection prevention and control measures. 
• Promotes multidisciplinary collaboration across service lines. 

The certification process includes: 

• On-site survey conducted by experienced DNV surveyors with specialized backgrounds in infection prevention. 
• Review of sterilization workflows, documentation, and equipment lifecycle. 
• Evaluation of staff training, continuing education, and role-based competencies. 
• Assessment of infection control protocols and cross-departmental coordination. 
• Alignment with performance data and QMS strategies. 

Certification is valid for three years, with annual evaluations to support continuous improvement, sustained compliance, and survey readiness.