The company Representative in Clinical Environment (CRICE) programme is a SAMED initiative administered by an independent and accredited training provider, Masoom Training Solutions.

In 2012, after an extensive evaluation of existing international credentialing systems, SAMED together with its development partner, Masoom Training Solutions, launched a national standardised credentialing system which came to be called CRICE. Cognisant of acting in the best interest of its members, SAMED implemented strict price controls and quality measures on CRICE and to date, CRICE remains a premium product that is available at a nominal price.

CRICE was developed with input from all key stakeholders including hospital groups, health care practitioners and supplier companies.

Although a SAMED initiative, CRICE is applicable to all sectors including medical devices, pharmaceuticals and IVDs. CRICE was conceived with the recognition that company representatives have an important role to play to educate on the safe and effective use of products and to foster constructive relationships whilst taking the necessary safeguards, for both the patients as well as the CRs who enter clinical environments.

To this end, the CRICE Programme thus includes 6 key elements as follows:

  1. Training: CRICE covers detailed training on Infection control, POPI, Scope of Practice and Legal and Ethical Responsibilities. Visit https://www.crice.co.za/ for breakdown of CRICE content.
  2. Transmitting and contracting infectious diseases: CRICE requires CRs to have had the necessary vaccinations and CRs sign a declaration of responsibility to be free of infectious diseases requiring disclosure.
  3. Product and Disease area training: Signed declaration by the legally authorised representative of the company that the CR has received complete and accurate training in the required speciality, including product and disease area training, and documentation thereof.
  4. Practical assessment of aseptic techniques: CRs have been practically assessed on handwashing, gowning and gloving, as applicable, according to the level of access required.
  5. Confidentiality Undertaking: all CRs are required to sign a detailed undertaking on their responsibility to maintain confidentiality.
  6. Hospital Access Policy/SAMED Theatre Access: The hospital access policy of various groups and SAMED Theatre Access policy have been incorporated into CRICE and CRs review and confirm understanding of contents.

For more information or to take the CRICE course contact cricecams@masoom.co.za  or visit the CRICE website.