Introduction

The Dutch Central Sterilization Club (CSC) is an association with the intention to act as a forum for all who are interested in the preparation and the function of Central Sterile Supply Departments, sterilization procedures and the handling of sterile devices for medical purposes. Furthermore the CSC encourages fundamental and practical research of field related issues.

The CSC has approx. 340 members of which 248 are working in non-commercial organizations; mainly the Central Sterile Supply Departments (CSSD) in hospitals. The CSC encourages the participation of commercial oriented parties, such as industry, suppliers and service providers in her activities. The contribution of these parties is appreciated for their valuable know-how and product related presentations at the semi-annual conferences. Relations are maintained with other healthcare organizations, international sister organizations as well as the government and the Inspectorate for healthcare.

The CSC was founded on 26 September 1969 and celebrated her thirtieth anniversary with a two-day conference in September 1999.

Since 1976 the CSC takes care of the training programs for sterilization technicians and CSSD managers. These training programs provide the basic knowledge, necessary to work in or to manage a CSSD. On going education is provided during the CSC conferences, which are held twice a year. A wide variety of themes have been addressed at these conferences, such as cost calculation for CSSD's, new sterilization methods, cleaning of surgical instruments and the disinfection of flexible endoscopes.

The executive committee of the CSC makes a great effort to get the job of the sterilization technician a formal recognized profession. The first milestone in this process was the formalization of the occupational profile. Once the profession is recognized, the Ministry of Education will provide the necessary means for a professional training.

Besides participating in the Dutch standardization committee on sterilization of medical devices, members of the CSC write guidance documents on a number of subjects. The first guidance document was published in 1998 and deals with loan instruments. The document gives practical guidance about the procedure to follow and the agreements to make with the provider of the instruments. A second guideline was written on packaging. This well received document helps CSSD managers to implement the European standards on packaging.

Currently a working group of the CSC is doing research on the quality of the instructions for the reprocessing of reusable medical devices. Under the medical device directive manuafcturers are obliged to provide detailed instructions for the cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation of reusable medical devices. Many complaints form CSSD managers have let to the establisment of this working group. The group planned to offer a report to the Inspectorate for healthcare matters early 2002.

CSC Events

Upcoming Conferences and Seminars

CSC Spring Congress 19 March 2010
19 March 2010
"De Reehorst", Ede, The Netherlands
[ Contact: Dhr. M. Oldenburger, ]
[ More information: www.cscnl.net ]

CSC Autumn Congress 27 November 2010
27 November 2010
"De Reehorst", Ede, The Netherlands
[ Contact: Dhr. M. Oldenburger, ]
[ More information: www.cscnl.net ]

Past Conferences and Seminars

CSC Autumn Congress 2009
Najaarscongres CSC
40th CSC Anniversary
13 November 2009 to 14 November 2009
"De Reehorst", Ede, The Netherlands
[ Conference Programme (PDF File; in Dutch) ]

CSC Autumn Congress 2008
Najaarscongres CSC
10 October 2008
NBC, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

CSC Autumn Congress 2007
Najaarscongres CSC / Landelijke assistentendag
02 November 2007 to 03 November 2007
NBC, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

CSC Spring Congress 2007
Voorjaarscongres CSC
16 March 2007
NBC, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

CSC Spring Meeting 2000
30 March 2000

Annual CSC and V.S.Z Congress 1999
27 September 1999 to 28 September 1999
Papendal, The Netherlands
[ Conference Report ]

CSC Contact

Postal Address and Phone Number

• CSC - Sterilisatie Vereniging Nederland
  Eduard van Beinumlaan 11
  6952 CG Dieren
  The Netherlands
  
  Phone: +31-(0)6.46636720

Board Members

• Marc Hillemans
  Chairman
  Email:
• Melchior Oldenburger
  Secretary
  Email:
• Jeroen de Geus
  Treasurer
  Email:
• Roel Beck
  Board Member
  Email:
• Arjan van Drongelen
  Board Member
  Email:
• Kees van der Meulen
  Board Member
  Email:
• John Vermeer
  Board Member
  Email:
• Saskia Timmermans-Kaldijk
  Board Member
  Email:

Website

Please visit the CSC Website for more information about the Dutch Central Sterilization Club:

• www.cscnl.net

Information about the Netherlands

Statistics

• Area: 41,526 km² (land 33,883 km², water 7,643 km²)
• Population: 16,318,199 (July 2004)
• Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of the government
• Language: Dutch
• Religion: Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40% (1998)
• Climate: temperate, marine with cool summers and mild winters
• Time Zone: Central European Time [GMT +1]
• Currency: Euro [EUR]

Location

The Netherlands are in Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany. The Netherlands' territory is mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders), with some hills in the southeast. With a total of 1,027 km land boundaries, The Netherlands share borders with Belgium (450 km) and Germany (577 km). The Netherlands' coastline to the North Sea extends over 451 km. The Netherlands consist of twelve provinces (Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland) and two dependent areas (Aruba, Netherlands Antilles).