Beyond Clean Podcast

In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses the impact that attendance and tardiness can have on a department: -- "If the shift start time is seen as an option, and the end of the tardy grace period is seen as the real start time, then leaders and co-workers are handcuffed in a way that they cannot begin their shift handoffs until after the grace period ends, wasting va...

Sharpen those pencils and grab your favorite highlighter because this week's Confident Certification™ podcast is a back-to-basics guide to note-taking for your certification success! 📝 Sarah B. Cruz gets real about why writing it down matters when you're prepping for your exam. From bulleting key concepts to recording your own audio study guides, you'll be armed with pro note-taking tips to retai...

You won't want to miss this week's jam-packed episode of Beyond Clean - as we get hyped about biological indicators (BIs) with the one and only Adam Okada! Tune in for all the #CleanFreak facts about BI spores and essential tips for proper testing in your Sterile Processing department. In this interview we learn how to crush the common errors and misconceptions around BIs and talk about how you ca...

In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses lessons healthcare can learn from the fast food industry, including how to handle compensation -- "As wages increase in other industries, it puts a dramatic squeeze on current SPD staff retention and shrinks the available applicant pool as these candidates consider other higher-paying jobs outside of the healthcare..." To list...

If you want to PASS your Sterile Processing certification exam, you're NOT going to want to miss this week's Confident Certification™ podcast release! 📚 Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker get REAL about why you've absolutely gotta crack open that textbook for certification success. They'll be diving into why you should value your manual far above workbooks and online quizlets. Plan on grabbing a high...

"If there's a hole, brush it." That's the brushing philosophy of  Carol   Malone , AAB, CSPDT, CRCST, CIS, CHL Supervisor, Sterile Processing Education at UH Hospitals as she joins this episode of Beyond Clean to share her wealth of expertise on all things Sterile Processing brushes. Discover right and wrong brushing techniques, brush selection tips, and how to prevent reuse abuse. 🧼 In this epis...

In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch highlights a curious bit of lingering vocabulary that won't seem to go away  -- "Yes, the processes of rinsing something in a scrub sink then popping it into an autoclave has almost universally ended (thankfully). But the language of flash has simply taken on a new, albeit more compliant, meaning. What we are left with are two terms (fl...

Taking tests can be stressful, but with the right strategies you CAN build your confidence. In this week's episode of Confident Certification™ with Sarah B. Cruz, we discuss managing uncertainty, active guessing, and the process of elimination when sitting for your Sterile Processing certification exam. Tune in to learn how to use practice tests to identify weak areas in your knowledge and underst...

Get ready to go Beyond Clean and dive deep into all things chemical indicators on this week's new release! 🧪👩‍🔬  Breanna   Paul , member of the Beyond Clean Advisory Group, joins us to share her expertise and insights about types of indicators, proper use, troubleshooting issues, and best practices for consistent success.  From placement tips to training tricks, she'll spill the tea on how to o...

Are you a part of innovating the industry's instrument cleaning brushes? Do you want to be? On this week's Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™ podcast, we're joined by industry veteran Dan DeShane with Sharn by Marketlab, as we discuss  the critical need for education around specialty brushes and the urgent call for intentional, purpose-driven innovation in this space. Dan's  expertise is focused on ed...

In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses the importance of Sterile Processing in on-time starts in surgery:  -- "I eventually realized that there was actually a bright side to being listed as a primary contributor to case delays; you're invited to things like executive meetings where the sole focus is fixing those problems. This ultimately means you get what every st...

Get ready to train your brain for certification success in this week's episode of Confident Certification™ with Sarah B. Cruz! Tune in as Adam Okada, Clinical Education Specialist at Healthmark Industries AND Founder of the Sterile Education mobile app, joins us to share his favorite techniques to boost memory, retention and confidence as preparing for your exam. Learn how to break old habits and...

How well do you really know the Bowie Dick test? Join Don Tumminelli as he kicks off our Season 22 premiere and unpacks the history, science, and purpose behind this crucial daily sterilizer challenge test and one of the least understood SPD consumable. Learn proper test pack placement, cycle parameters, result interpretation, and troubleshooting steps for failures. Discover the difference between...

In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch warns against the danger of misinformation and SPD group-think on social media:  -- "Because we often do not know the people on the other end of these social media platforms—what they know and what they don't—putting the lives of our patients on the line to trust their answers is not a wise or sustainable solution. As helpful as most of...

Are you or your coworker struggling to retain information while prepping for your certification exam? Learn how to maximize comprehension based on your unique study style in this episode of Confident Certification™ with host Sarah B. Cruz. This week Sarah will outline the four main types of learning - kinesthetic, visual, auditory, and reading - and provide tailored techniques for each one. Find o...

(Season 22 new episodes begin releasing Oct 2nd! Until then, enjoy these exclusive conference special releases from some of our best Beyond Clean events) Join us this week for a "PowerPanel" discussion dedicated to workflow optimization in Sterile Processing! Our panel of industry experts are joined forces to equip you with the tools needed to streamline your SPD's workflows, identify process bott...

In this CE-approved release of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch describes a tool that every SPD leader should use in directing their department's culture:  -- "Even though you may already have random one-on-one conversations on the same topics, or bring up similar issues during your staff meetings, a pulse survey allows you to gather these insights anonymously to ensure you really get to the heart o...

It's time to find your study style groove on the latest Confident Certification™ podcast! Join Sarah B. Cruz and her work BFF Bobby Parker as they get real about active learning, advocating for yourself, and matching your preferences to absorb material fully. Learn why cramming facts cement mixer-style doesn't cut it for comprehension and retention. Discover steps like taking quizzes to ID your st...

(Season 22 new episodes begin releasing Oct 2nd! Until then, enjoy these exclusive conference special releases from some of our best Beyond Clean events) Where did all the technicians go?? It's the question on the minds of every HR professional and SPD manager across our industry, and one we hope to tackle during this action-packed panel discussion! Our panel of experts are joining forces to help...

🎙️ Endoscopes don't take care of themselves -- so what are you doing to ensure they live long and prosper in your facility?  Tune in for this week's Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™ featuring Skip Smith, Area Manager for Onsite Services, and Carrie Armellino, Marketing Manager for PROTECTION1® Service and Reprocessing, from  KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America,  as they delve into the world of economical,...

On this CE approved re-release of Articles On-The-Go, tune in for tips on how to create a competitive Sterile Processing resume: "This resume you are working on could be the road map for all kinds of future career growth. Although you may be thinking it's just for an entry level Sterile Processing position, if you were to land the job, you could very well become the most viable candidate for that...

Join the Confident Certification™ podcast this week as host Sarah B. Cruz interviews Sterile Processing legend Sharon Green Golden on her decades of experience and insights into certification! Learn how Sharon found her passion & niche in SPD, pursued certification later in her career, and became an educator shaping the next generation of #CleanFreaks. In this episode Sarah & Sharon discuss how be...

(Season 22 new episodes begin releasing Oct 2nd! Until then, enjoy these exclusive conference special releases from some of our best Beyond Clean events) // We all know that collaboration is essential to patient care. But have you ever thought about how it can improve healthcare sustainability? Well, get ready to collaborate! Our panel of Supply Chain Experts are teaming up to share their insights...

On this CE approved re-release of Articles On-The-Go, tune in for tips on becoming the Chick-fil-A of your surgical team by focusing on service excellence in SPD: "You know your customers better than anyone else, so be intentional about hiring SPD techs according to your overarching department emphasis on customer service. Include questions in your interview process about how the candidate has han...

Where does Sterile Processing certification fit into your busy life? Join hosts Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker as they tackle balancing personal and professional priorities on the latest episode of Confident Certification™.  Learn how Bobby incorporated studying into his facility's onboarding and hear Sarah's tips for planning your study schedule. Discover strategies to make certification a natura...