Beyond Clean Podcast

Hey #CleanFreaks -- What if the dirtiest surface in your SPD's decontam isn't at your workstation, but on the floor you're standing on? This week, we welcome infection prevention expert Ericka Kalp to expose the hidden dangers lurking on the surface of your SPD's floors—and why ignoring them could be putting your patients and your team at risk. From selecting the right disinfectants to establishin...

On this episode 4 of the StreetClothes podcast, we talk to Lindsay Brown, a Minnesota clinician who has a passion project unlike any other! Not only does she know where babies come from (every child's eternal question), she also knows how clinical expertise beautifully combines with nurturing care during life's very first moments.  Tune in to hear how Linds's work as a doula brings comfort and adv...

Across the great state of Texas and beyond, Sterile Processing pros are sharpening their skills, building confidence, and making a real impact where it matters most – patient safety. In this week's episode of Everything is Cleaner in Texas , hosts Hank Balch and Dusty Glass team up with Kurt Van Sickel, Program Director and Career Coach at Good Works Collective, to spotlight the power of professio...

Instrument damage is more than just a headache—it's costly, disruptive, and far more common than most realize. So, how can we prevent it before it even happens? In Episode 2 of our "Process Better " series, Tory Teakell, Clinical Solutions Manager at Medline, joins us to explore the most common causes of instrument damage across surgical workflows— and how better care, handling, and training can r...

Three bays, two basins, or one compliance nightmare? When it comes to your decontam sinks, the wrong setup doesn't just slow you down – it can send your entire workflow underwater! On this episode of Beyond Clean's Planet Decontam, Jessie Lopez joins us to break down why the proper sink setup can make or break your entire reprocessing cycle. From missing rinses and awkward sink setups to chemical...

Everything's bigger in Texas—and that's especially true in the Texas Medical Center, where the pace never slows and the pressure is always on! In this episode of Everything is Cleaner in Texas , hosts Hank Balch and Dusty Glass sit down with Anna Castillo-Gutierrez for a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to work inside one of the most complex, high-volume medical centers in the country. Fro...

What started as a podcast quickly became a global platform for Sterile Processing education—and in our Season 1 finale, we're sitting down with the man behind the mic, the #OriginalCleanFreak himself, Hank Balch. As the Co-Founder and President of Beyond Clean, Hank takes us behind the scenes of how one idea—offering free, accessible Sterile Processing educational content—has reshaped how frontlin...

Point-of-use cleaning is one of the most critical—and most often missed—steps in the reprocessing cycle. So, how do we build workflows that keep this step front and center? In this premiere episode of our exclusive new podcast series "Process Better," Tory Teakell, Clinical Solutions Manager at Medline, helps us redefine what effective point-of-use cleaning really looks like. From aligning with cu...

Picture it: You're standing in decontam, 10 case carts deep, trying to track down the right IFU—and the OR rushes in with a STAT turnaround tray. In this moment, memory, speed, and accuracy collide—and compliance is put to the test! On this week's episode of Beyond Clean's Planet Decontam, Art Babiy joins us to tackle the real-world challenges hidden inside instrument IFUs. From real-time access i...

On this episode 3 of our brand new StreetClothes human-interest podcast series, we talk to two healthcare professionals who have a passion project that's far from fowl play! Not only have they created their own backyard flock of feathered friends, they've also cracked the code for beating those sky-high egg prices! Tune in to hear how Sean Weir & Stacey Gielen became known as the "Chicken Tenders"...

Y'all ready for this? We're kicking off our brand-new podcast series, "Everything is Cleaner in Texas," sponsored by STERIS IMS, with a big, bold look at the future of chapter education in the Lone Star State! In this premiere episode, hosts Hank Balch and Dusty Glass team up to share the vision behind Houston's newly relaunched chapter—and the powerful role that education, networking, and innovat...

It's 6 a.m.—the trays are sterilized, the patient is prepped, and the vendor rep is on the way! In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we're joined by Adam Redmond, Vendor Rep from CONMED Corporation, to explore the critical role vendor reps play in supporting surgical teams—and the MDR professionals who make it all possible. From late-night deliveries to early-morning OR support, Adam shares how...

Think your endoscopes are actually dry? You might want to take a second look! On this Season 28 premiere episode of Beyond Clean's "Planet Decontam," we're joined by Jill Berends, Clinical Trainer at Ambu, to explore why moisture remains one of the biggest threats to effective high-level disinfection. From forced air-drying requirements to the challenges of cabinet storage, discover what the lates...

The best patient outcomes start with the strongest teams -- but how do we build them? In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we're joined by Becky White and Pam Hunter, two powerhouse MDR leaders, to talk about what it takes to build and maintain meaningful relationships between MDR and OR teams. From their work with MDRANS and CAMDR to collaborative OR training programs and team-building strateg...

Hey, #CleanFreaks -- are you ready to uncover what's next in endoscope reprocessing? In this exciting series finale episode of "Safe & Sterile Endoscopes," Dr. Ivan Salgo, Chief Medical Officer & Vice President at ASP, joins us to pull back the curtain on the game-changing technologies reshaping our approach to endoscope sterility! From conquering biofilm challenges to elevating quality standards,...

On this episode 2 of the StreetClothes podcast, we talk to a well-known voice in the medical device space about bending strings and making his guitar "talk." If you're like many Americans, you've probably got a guitar in a closet somewhere. Some of you may even use your guitar as a much-needed tool to unwind your mind after a crazy day at the hospital. Whether you're a "picker" or a "grinner", if...

On this episode 1 of our brand new, human-interest "StreetClothes" podcast series, we talk to a clinician who moonlights as a personal chef in between his travel assignments. Don't listen to this interview on an empty stomach as the smell, taste, and passion for food is strong from beginning to end. But like any good recipe, even this story has a little twist — this personal chef isn't whipping up...

Sterile Processing professionals around the world show up every day with passion, resilience, and commitment to #FightingDirty! But what happens when they don't have access to the tools and education they need? In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we're joined by Christina Fast—global safe surgery advocate and founder of the Sterile Processing Education Charitable Trust (SPECT)—to explore what...

As industry standards and guidelines evolve, are your department's workflows keeping up? In this week's new episode from our "Safe and Sterile Endoscopes" series, Stacy Johnson and Melanie Marshall, Clinical Education Consultants at ASP, join us to break down the latest regulatory requirements, including AAMI ST91, and their impact on endoscope reprocessing workflows. From FDA recommendations to e...

Sterile wrap is designed for one-time use—but what happens after it leaves the OR? In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we're joined by Andy Straisfeld, sustainability advocate and President and CEO of MEA Health, to talk about the future of recycling in healthcare. From turning MDR and OR waste into park benches, plastic lumber, and even tiny homes, Andy shares how a single idea turned into a...

What does it take to build a winning endoscope reprocessing program? Teamwork! In Episode 4 of our "Safe & Sterile Endoscopes" series, Julie Gorog, Clinical Education Consultant at ASP, reveals why bridging departmental gaps is essential for advancing patient safety. From crafting effective competency programs to enhancing quality assurance practices, Julie shares strategies for uniting SPD, OR, a...

Sterility assurance isn't just another checkbox in our workflows—it's a commitment to excellence! In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we're breaking down the critical steps of equipment, exposure, pack, and load monitoring—where errors can happen and how to prevent them. With high turnover rates in MDR departments, Leeanne Ismail, Clinical Specialist at Solventum, stresses the need for ongoing...

What are the biggest roadblocks for safe and effective endoscope reprocessing? From biofilm buildup to the challenges of cleaning hard-to-reach channels, we're pulling back the curtain on the hidden obstacles that make endoscopes some of the most complex devices to reprocess! In this week's new episode from our "Safe & Sterile Endoscopes" series, Benedicta Ampadu, Global Product Manager at ASP, di...

Sterile Processing isn't just about cleaning instruments—it's about making the right decisions at every step. In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we sit down with Brandon Rawn from Stryker Canada to discuss his passion for reducing errors in medical device reprocessing. Drawing from his background in public healthcare, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and medical device reprocessing, Brandon high...

From the drawing board to the operating room, every detail in endoscope design matters! In Episode 2 of our new podcast series "Safe & Sterile Endoscopes," ASP's Khoi Pham and Tamara Beehler join us for an insider's look at the science behind endoscope design, functionality, and innovation. From cutting-edge materials to automated systems, they reveal how modern endoscope designs are solving compl...