Beyond Clean Podcast

It's not rocket science and yet many hospital administrators just don't get it -- Sterile Processing departments need SUPERVISORS! AAMI ST79:2017 recommends it, ECRI makes it a point to spotlight, and the Joint Commission expects it. Plus there's something called common sense that tells us that constant interruptions of frontline staff to deal with "supervisory duties" takes these technician's min...

Why would a neurosurgeon decide to pursue certification in the Sterile Processing industry? What happened in this surgeon's career to turn his eyes and his heart toward the teams managing surgical instrumentation in his facility and across the industry? As we kick off an historical Season 10 of the Beyond Clean podcast, we invited Dr. George Cybulski, Chief Medical Officer of Vested Medical, Inc....

More and more healthcare facilities around the globe are looking closer at, or upgrading their fleet of, UV technology. This LIVE broadcast will talk about how the science of "killer light" plays out in surface disinfection and how/if this technology has further application in the Operating Room and Sterile Processing environments. This is one of those episodes when you may want to bring your Infe...

Reprocessing flexible endoscopes is a challenging task that begs the question: is it finally time for a paradigm shift in endoscope reprocessing? Based on a ground-breaking research study regarding the dangers of contaminant exposure, reprocessing errors, and ineffective cleaning measures, infection control teams should consider the option to sterilize flexible scopes where feasible. On this Beyon...

In this episode Bob discusses the frustration surrounding PPE shortages and asks the necessary question -- what are we going to do to prevent this in the future? Tune in as Bob #getsreal about this important topic. Have a question for Bob? Email him at: Bob@beyondclean.net #RealTalk #BobMarrs #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™

There are things that people do well and things that machines do well. By combining those two, we get the optimal result of a collaboration between humans and machines. Parts of the average Sterile Processing Department already include some kind of automation. But what about all those other dangerous, boring, or overly complex tasks that Sterile Processing technicians struggle to complete on a dai...

If you have been leading your team, you're comfortable speaking in front of a group, and you have information to share that will help reshape the industry in small or large ways, then it may be time to take the next step into the world of public speaking and showcase your knowledge in a larger setting! Join Lindsay for this #GrowthSpurt on becoming a dynamic speaker and learn easy ways to impact y...

Moment of truth here: Do you have any rusty instruments in your surgical trays? No, let's be honest. And if you have seen rusty instruments, what is stopping you from taking them out? On this episode of Fighting Dirty, Hank brings the skeleton out of the Sterile Processing closet and gives an argument for transparency that will better protect our patients and guard our facilities against liability...

On this week's episode, Bob talks about that inevitable day when surgical volumes increase due to elective surgeries coming back on the books. Bob shares practical ways that you can get your Sterile Processing department prepared to run smoothly and efficiently. Tune in now and make sure your SPD team is #ReadytoRock! Have a question for Bob? Email him at: Bob@beyondclean.net #RealTalk #BobMarrs #...

We can control what we say and how we say it but, as it turns out, our audience will pay more attention to the "how" than the "what". This is the second episode in a series on communication and public speaking. Join Lindsay Brown for this #growthspurt focused on the important role of non-verbal communication. Have a question or comment for Linds? Email her at: Lindsay@beyondclean.net  #GrowthSpurt...

When you hear the word "research" what comes to mind? Cure for cancer? New sources of renewable energy? How about better ways of decontaminating surgical instrumentation or data-driven programs for educating new technicians so that they not only enjoy the job but stay in the industry for decades? On this episode of the Beyond Clean Podcast, we sit down with Lisa McKown, DrPHc, MBA, CRCST, CIS, CHL...

Is that presentation CE approved? How many continuing education credits is it worth? Why on earth are these the first questions for so many of us in the Sterile Processing industry when confronted with education options? If all the potential industry education in the world were poured into the ocean, the portion that was CE-approved would fill up a shot glass. On this episode of Fighting Dirty, Ha...

Why does it matter that patients in the OR waiting room know the name "Sterile Processing" and have an idea of how our teams contribute to their safe surgery? How can our industry tell our story in a way that opens the public's eyes to the invaluable role we play in healthcare? On this episode of the Beyond Clean podcast, we sit down with the director & producers of "Beyond the Tour," brothers Aar...

On this week's episode, Bob touches on the valuable improvements that can be made to instrument sets in a proactive manner rather than a reactive one and stresses the importance of #InstrumentQuality for every department in the hospital. Have a question for Bob? Email him at: Bob@beyondclean.net #RealTalk #BobMarrs #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™

Scientists, engineers, and manufacturers across the globe are racing to find answers to the challenges facing endoscope reprocessing in the 21st century. But are there differences in how these issues are being addressed depending on which country is making the standards? How have various infectious outbreaks impacted these discussions in Europe & the United States? On this episode of the Beyond Cl...

In a perfect world, vendors and manufacturers would consult with both Sterile Processing and Operating Room professionals as they build their products. This would ensure that any products put in place would help solve the chaotic nature of these departments rather than add to it. What if you were to learn that there is a solution that has taken this approach? A solution that turns chaos into consi...

By nature of working in healthcare, experiencing a crisis in some form is inevitable. When you're called to lead, there are a few things to consider. Join Lindsay for today's #GrowthSpurt to learn about ways you can communicate through times of crisis and exemplify true leadership. Have a question or comment for Linds? Email her at: Lindsay@beyondclean.net  #GrowthSpurt #LindsayBrown #SterileProce...

Few topics are as debated in Sterile Processing circles today as the topic of "event related sterility" and packaging shelf life. If packaging has a shelf life listed in the IFU, do you have to follow it -- or can hospitals decide to do their own thing? Does an extended period of storage constitute an "event"? How do manufacturers determine shelf life in the first place? The questions are endless,...

There are three different instructions for use that need to be considered when preparing a medical device for sterilization: the sterilizer, the medical device itself, and the packaging system. The FDA requires that medical devices be tested in just one type of packaging system and on this week's release of the Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight Series, we speak with Barbara Ann Harmer about the maze t...

How do you respond to hospital administrators or surgical leaders who brush aside your Sterile Processing requests or recommendations because your facility has "low surgical site infection (SSI) rates"? Is this a helpful measurement when department leaders are still voicing equipment, staffing, and other resource concerns? In this episode of Fighting Dirty, Hank lays out a challenge for anyone try...

Sterile Processing technicians have been on the frontlines of the fight against viruses long before anyone ever heard of COVID-19. In fact, there are many types of dangerous viruses that our teams can and do encounter on a daily basis, and our departments have to be prepared to kill them all. On this episode of the Beyond Clean podcast, we bring back an audience favorite, Wava Truscott, PhD to del...

When someone asks if storage is an issue for your Sterile Processing department, what is your first response…to roll your eyes perhaps? But what if looking up…is the ticket? Let's face it, the need for space in Sterile Processing is an issue for many healthcare facilities and the implications of not having enough storage to keep up with the demand of the OR means potential revenue lost. On this ep...

On this week's episode, Bob discusses Sterile Processing professionals' impact on infections. Bob hops on his favorite soapbox to discuss how important it is that Sterile Processing departments have the resources they need and gives a call to action to start a #SterileProcessingRevolution . Have a question for Bob? Email him at: Bob@beyondclean.net #RealTalk #BobMarrs #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™

On this episode of the Beyond Clean podcast, we dust off that library in your manager's office to take a look at a one particular document you may have never cracked open before - ANSI/AAMI ST58:2013 (Chemical Sterilization and High-Level Disinfection in Health Care Facilities). To help us with this little exploration into the pages of recommended practices, we invited Janet Prust, Director of Sta...

Did you know that you don't have to be a "speaker" to present valuable information? Join Lindsay for today's #GrowthSpurt to learn about simple ways you can communicate process improvements and department successes without having to speak in front of an audience. Have a question or comment for Linds? Email her at: Lindsay@beyondclean.net  #GrowthSpurt #LindsayBrown #SterileProcessing #BeyondClean...