Q: Are the standards intended to be aspirational?
A: It depends on what the standard is.  Depending on where an organization is in the evolution of their devices or processes, there may need to be some elevation or adjustments done to meet the specified requirements that are deemed to meet the threshold for effectiveness.  Standards are intended to be “reasonably practicable” meaning able to be done reasonably.  Having a balance of interest categories in the consensus body helps ensures the eventual document is reasonably practicable.

Q: Once the pandemic is past us and AAMI is able to offer in-person training, will they still offer virtual training?
A: Yes, AAMI will continue to offer a hybrid model  by offering both virtual and in-person training once AAMI reopens its training center, known as the ACE.   

Q: How will the new digital publishing platform make it easier to get content from AAMI?
A:  The biggest change you will experience with the new platform is that it will be a one stop destination for the vast majority of AAMI content.  When you log in you will be able to easily locate the content you want, tag it and share it.  The new platform will dramatically  reduce the amount of searching you need to do to find the content you want in one place.

Q: How does AAMI decide to develop new training topics?
A:  Members can request that AAMI consider developing training content on topics of interest to them and to industry.  AAMI faculty frequently recommend new training topics.  And, AAMI staff also generate ideas from time to time. 

Q: Sometimes it is hard to find content on the AAMI website. Do you have plans to fix that?
A: Since AAMI’s website redesign earlier this year we have determined that the search function is not as effective as we would like so we are working behind the scenes to improve this. In addition, the new digital publishing platform will enhance your ability to find what you need on the website.  AAMI is continually working to improve the way our members can connect with us and obtain content and resources. . 

Q: Our company already participates in standards but has new employees we want to train to eventually become our voting representatives.  How can they monitor our company’s standards work until they are ready to assume an official role?
A: AAMI standards committee meetings are open to the public so you do not have to be a member of a specific working group to attend.  Companies should provide opportunities for new professionals to be part of internal discussions about draft standards documents so they can feel like part of the response and get exposed to how standards development works. 

Q: Are there opportunities for members to get involved in shaping AAMI’s strategic plan? If so, how?
A: There are opportunities to get involved in helping AAMI develop its strategic direction, such as participating on standards and non-standards committees.  If you are interested in getting more engaged in this area, please reach out to Sabrina Reilly, VP of Membership, or Steve Campbell, Acting President and CEO, at AAMI.

Q: Does AAMI offer any special training and education for sterile processing professionals?
A: Many ad hoc webinars AAMI hosts include content that sterile processing professionals may find of interest. But this is an area where AAMI wants to develop more content so please share your ideas with AAMI if there is content you would like us to consider. 

Q: What is a “User” in standards terms and why is it important to have them on standards committees?
A: “Users” in AAMI terms are individuals who work in a clinical setting and is typically the end user of medical devices or health technology. Most HTM professionals are considered “users.”  ANSI requires AAMI to have a balance of interest categories involved in the development of American national standards to help ensure a well-rounded and reasonably practicable standard.

Q: Once the pandemic is past us and AAMI is able to offer in-person training, will they still offer virtual training?
A: Yes, AAMI will continue to offer a hybrid model  by offering both virtual and in-person training once AAMI reopens its training center, known as the ACE

Q: How will the new digital publishing platform make it easier for me to get AAMI content?
A: The biggest change you will experience with the new platform is that it will be a one stop destination for the vast majority of AAMI content.  When you log in you will be able to easily locate the content you want, tag it and share it.  The new platform will dramatically  reduce the amount of searching you need to do to find the content you want in one place.

Q: Please speak about the efforts to fill the open CEO/President position.
A: There will be a search effort that is likely to start this summer.  Until a new President and CEO is selected, AAMI is in great shape. We have a great Board of Directors, wonderful members, a strong leadership team, and exceptional staff to keep us moving forward. 

Q: What does being a member of an AAMI Standards committee entail? Once I’m on a committee, what are my responsibilities?
A: Depends on what role you have on a standards committee. Voting members, for example, are obligated to vote on drafts of documents, but regardless of your status on a committee, whether as a voting representative or observer, we invite comments on draft documents which helps in refining them.

Q: Sometimes it is hard to find content on the AAMI website. Do you have plans to fix that?
A: Since AAMI’s website redesign earlier this year we have determined that the search function is not as effective as we would like so we are working behind the scenes to improve this. In addition, the new digital publishing platform will enhance your ability to find what you need on the website.  AAMI is continually working to improve the way our members can connect with us and obtain content and resources. 

Q: How does AAMI decide to develop new training topics? 
A: Members can request that AAMI consider developing training content on topics of interest to them and to industry.  AAMI faculty frequently recommend new training topics.  And, AAMI staff also generate ideas from time to time. 

Q: My organization has an idea for a new standard, how do I get that into AAMI’s standards work program? 
A: There is a button on AAMI’s website under the Standards section where you can submit a “New Work Item Proposal.”  If you submit an idea, AAMI staff will reach back out to you to learn more about your idea for a new standard and explore whether there is an appropriate home for it within our current standards committee line up.

Q: Are there opportunities for members to get involved in shaping AAMI’s strategic plan? If so, how?
A: There are opportunities to get involved in helping AAMI develop its strategic direction, such as participating on standards and non-standards committees.  If you are interested in getting more engaged in this area, please reach out to Sabrina Reilly, VP of Membership, or Steve Campbell, Acting President and CEO, at AAMI.

Q: Does AAMI offer any special training and education for sterile processing professionals?
A: Many ad hoc webinars AAMI hosts include content that sterile processing professionals may find of interest. But this is an area where AAMI wants to develop more content so please share your ideas with AAMI if there is content you would like us to consider. 

Q: What is a “User” in standards terms and why is it important to have them on standards committees?
A: “Users” in AAMI terms are individuals who work in a clinical setting and is typically the end user of medical devices or health technology. Most HTM professionals are considered “users.”  ANSI requires AAMI to have a balance of interest categories involved in the development of American national standards to help ensure a well-rounded and reasonably practicable standard.

Q: Once the pandemic is past us and AAMI is able to offer in-person training, will they still offer virtual training?
A: Yes, AAMI will continue to offer a hybrid model  by offering both virtual and in-person training once AAMI reopens its training center, known as the ACE

Q: How will the new digital publishing platform make it easier for me to get AAMI content?
A: The biggest change you will experience with the new platform is that it will be a one stop destination for the vast majority of AAMI content.  When you log in you will be able to easily locate the content you want, tag it and share it.  The new platform will dramatically  reduce the amount of searching you need to do to find the content you want in one place.

Q: Please speak about the efforts to fill the open CEO/President position.
A: There will be a search effort that is likely to start this summer.  Until a new President and CEO is selected, AAMI is in great shape. We have a great Board of Directors, wonderful members, a strong leadership team, and exceptional staff to keep us moving forward. 

Q: What does being a member of an AAMI Standards committee entail? Once I’m on a committee, what are my responsibilities?
A: Depends on what role you have on a standards committee. Voting members, for example, are obligated to vote on drafts of documents, but regardless of your status on a committee, whether as a voting representative or observer, we invite comments on draft documents which helps in refining them.

Q: Sometimes it is hard to find content on the AAMI website. Do you have plans to fix that?
A: Since AAMI’s website redesign earlier this year we have determined that the search function is not as effective as we would like so we are working behind the scenes to improve this. In addition, the new digital publishing platform will enhance your ability to find what you need on the website.  AAMI is continually working to improve the way our members can connect with us and obtain content and resources. 

Q: How does AAMI decide to develop new training topics? 
A: Members can request that AAMI consider developing training content on topics of interest to them and to industry.  AAMI faculty frequently recommend new training topics.  And, AAMI staff also generate ideas from time to time. 

Q: My organization has an idea for a new standard, how do I get that into AAMI’s standards work program? 
A: There is a button on AAMI’s website under the Standards section where you can submit a “New Work Item Proposal.”  If you submit an idea, AAMI staff will reach back out to you to learn more about your idea for a new standard and explore whether there is an appropriate home for it within our current standards committee line up.