Beyond Clean Podcast

Join us for this throwback episode where we chat with Keith Koby whose expertise covers the intricate web of ultrasound probe reprocessing and brings to light the power of solutions that can optimize workflow while also guaranteeing proper cleaning, disinfecting, and storage throughout an entire healthcare facility.

On this release of the Beyond Clean "COVID-19 Impact Series", we speak with Dr. Patrick O'Malley, an emergency physician in South Carolina about what he is seeing on the frontlines. As the global voice of Sterile Processing we want to provide an outlet and conduit for frontline information and best practices to be exchanged as quickly and easily as possible during this pandemic.

When it comes to total optimization of instrument trays and inventory management, it's nearly impossible to have this conversation without talking about the potential of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). What is it and how is it changing a healthcare facility's ability to manage instrument and equipment inventory? On this week's re-released throwback episode from Season 2, we speak with Moses Chang who discusses this technology as it pertains specifically to sterile processing and the OR.

What does the COVID-19 coronavirus have to do with the Sterile Processing department? Will this pandemic change the everyday workflow of our reprocessing teams? How should we be approaching strategic planning during this unsettling time? There are a million of these kinds of concerns racing through the minds of frontline technicians and department leaders around the globe right now. On this bonus episode of Beyond Clean, we sat down with Ryan Lewis, MD, MPH to get answers.

As healthcare facilities work through risk assessments to determine what process changes to implement, moving from disinfection to sterilization of flexible endoscopes is likely part of that conversation. On this week's re-released throwback episode from Season 2, we spoke with Jenni Gibbs who discusses that very transition. She touches on everything from how this type of transition aligns with the mission of her healthcare facility to what staff engagement looks like in the midst of such a change.

When it comes to implementing reliable consistent chemicals to do the dirtiest jobs in sterile processing, few names rise to the top like Certol International. With a 40-year track record in chemical manufacturing for infection prevention products, Certol International embodies a commitment to quality that is long-lasting. On this week’s release of the Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight series we speak with Peggy Spitzer and Brett Norton and take a deep dive into the role of chemicals.

Since each healthcare facility is different, there is a time and place for reusable and single-use instrumentation and devices that may differ from one hospital or clinic to another. On this week's re-released throwback episode from Season 2, we talk with Kathy Mazza who discusses all things single-use instruments. She touches on everything from a hospital's green initiative and how to best achieve that while utilizing single-use instrumentation.

There are many questions and often a critical level of misunderstanding about medical device validation so on this re-released throwback episode from Season 2, we went right to the source and interviewed validation expert Don Tumminelli, Senior Technical Manager, Client Services at HIGHPOWER Validation Testing and Lab Services.

Orthopedic screw caddies are commonly used in healthcare facilities and on this week's podcast episode, we talk with Terry McAuley, Director, STEAM Consulting Pty Ltd about the effects of repeated reprocessing on single-use screws in screw caddies. The Australian study discussed in this episode will shed some light on different perspectives on single-use, single-packaged implants.

In 2011, Christina Fast, an internationally certified Sterile Processing Educator, volunteered on the Africa Mercy—the world’s largest floating hospital. Upon her return to Canada, Christina shared her vision of starting an organization to help decrease the risk of surgical infections in resource-constrained countries. Christina founded the Sterile Processing Education Charitable Trust (SPECT) in 2013 and has since educated over 1400 sterile processing professionals in 14 different countries.

If you’ve ever been a new hire in the sterile processing department, this week’s Beyond Clean podcast interview may bring back some, we’ll just say interesting, memories. We’re talking about the onboarding process and setting sterile processing professionals up for success from day one. Our guest, William Bryant, discusses the topic of getting onboarding right and building it on a competency-based model.

Two words: Shift wars. Each shift in a hospital department is riddled with interpersonal dynamics but the interplay between shifts is a topic we are finally shining a well-deserved light on. It's something that is a reality for many healthcare professionals and on this week's episode of Beyond Clean, we talk to 2nd shift Sterile Processing leader, Sarah B. Cruz, about her experience taking on the responsibility of the nuanced relationship between shifts.

On this week's episode of Beyond Clean, we talk to OR leader-turned-Sterile Processing leader, Aimee Kellogg, about her experience taking on the responsibility of a whole new department and the challenges and successes associated with everything from employee engagement and accountability to cost reduction. Aimee shares the tools she implemented to not only create success in the department but also measure that success.

As healthcare professionals, we go to great lengths to make sure that our Operating Rooms are safe and that the sterility of medical devices is maintained to prevent harm to patients. What if, after all that effort, the culprit for spreading illness is actually your HVAC system? We talk to HVAC expert, David Schurk, about a topic that has been top of mind for healthcare professionals everywhere in recent months- MOLD! and all things temperature, humidity and airflow in surgical services.

On October 1, 2017 a gunman opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers on Route 91 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Little did this week's podcast guest know that the training he pursued in the military and surgical services would set him up for success finding organization in the midst of tragedy and chaos. Tune in now to this new episode of Beyond Clean where we interview Dwayne Taylor about the pivotal role he played that horrifying night.