Laughter is the best medicine and brings with it a host of business benefits that can benefit your staff and your department. Join Lindsay for today's #GrowthSpurt to learn about simple ways you can ease the stress that comes with performing critical, life-saving tasks in Sterile Processing. Have a question or comment for Linds? Email her at: Lindsay@beyondclean.net #GrowthSpurt #LindsayBrown #SterileProcessing #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™...
Jun 24, 2020•3 min
Few materials in the world have come to define a Sterile Processing professional more than stainless steel. We are literally surrounded by it – our sinks are composed of it, our washers are encased by it, our assembly tables are covered with it, and yes – 99% of the tools of our trade are manufactured from it. And yet, even with this daily familiarity with stainless steel instrumentation, there are still many things not known or misunderstood about this marvelous metal. On this re-release episod...
Jun 22, 2020•32 min•Season 3Ep. 5
The words ‘biofilm’ and ‘disinfection’ are commonly used in Sterile Processing departments, but did you know these terms are also applicable when talking about your hospital’s HVAC system? In the healthcare setting, we often take for granted the air around us. We cannot see it, but we know it’s there and it has the ability to carry dangerous microorganisms with it from room to room and floor to floor throughout the hospital. On this episode of the Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight Series we talk wit...
Jun 19, 2020•27 min
How did two guys who had never met, living on opposite sides of the country create a podcast what would take the Sterile Processing industry by storm in the summer of 2017? It had a lot to do with timing, a little to do with Linkedin, a good dose of bravery, and a whole lot of passion to provide a bigger platform for the kinds of conversations that matter to the medical device reprocessing industry. On this episode of Fighting Dirty, Hank (finally) gets Justin to join him in the studio for the f...
Jun 17, 2020•9 min
Can you account for every implant screw and plating system within the four walls of your hospital? Can your Sterile Processing team efficiently and correctly validate, restock, and reorder consignment inventory? Or are you like the majority of facilities in the industry who are still struggling with tracking, billing, and inventorying these high dollar headaches? On this re-release episode of the Beyond Clean Podcast, we put the screws to Phil Sayles about the coming digitalization of surgical i...
Jun 15, 2020•29 min•Season 3Ep. 4
TEE probe cleaning and handling is a hot topic of conversation, especially as more and more Sterile Processing professionals continue to reach out to clinics to standardize and automate the reprocessing of these devices. Decreasing the manual effort also decreases the manual error and on this episode of the Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight Series we speak with Kendall Ashe, VP and General Manager of CS Medical about a solution for creating a safer and more efficient reprocessing and use cycle of TE...
Jun 12, 2020•19 min
On this week's episode, Bob continues his series on the sterilization process and talks specifically about the critical components of sterile storage. What are the things to consider to ensure sterility after the sterilization cycle is complete and before the tray is brought into the OR? Tune in for more clinical education and training around #SuccessfulSterilizationCycles . Have a question for Bob? Email him at: Bob@beyondclean.net #RealTalk #BobMarrs #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™...
Jun 10, 2020•5 min
Are your ATP tests measuring what you think they are measuring? What is the real relationship between residual protein, dangerous bugs, and our mission to #FightDirty in our departments? For this re-release episode of Season 3 of the Beyond Clean podcast, we discussed these questions and more with Dr. Christine Greene, Senior Scientific Consultant & Regulatory Microbiologist at TSG Consulting. In this episode, Dr. Greene gives us her perspective on the use and potential short-comings of ATP ...
Jun 08, 2020•32 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In the healthcare setting, air matters. Humidity control is challenging, risky, and has big implications on patient safety and air quality is at the forefront of discussion as we seek more and more research on the aerosolization of viruses. On this episode of the Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight Series we talk with Jim Johnston and Jim Meacham, Principles at Altaire Systems, about their ADAPT line of products—tailor-made for healthcare facilities struggling with humidity related issues like mold, m...
Jun 05, 2020•36 min
Someday you may be asked to speak in front of your coworkers or members of another hospital department or even your peers at a conference. This is the first in a series of episodes about communication and public speaking. Join Lindsay for today's #GrowthSpurt on reading the room. Have a question or comment for Linds? Email her at: Lindsay@beyondclean.net #GrowthSpurt #LindsayBrown #SterileProcessing #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™...
Jun 03, 2020•2 min
There is one theme that shows up in nearly EVERY surgical instrument quality breakdown headline to come out in recent years. That reoccurring theme is a lack of point-of-use cleaning in the OR and the many implications this oversight has on a Sterile Processing team’s ability to #FightDirty with any success. For the first episode of Season 3, we bring on Lisa Wakeman, Sterile Processing Education and Quality Coordinator for the Indianapolis Suburban Region of IU Health Network, to discuss point-...
Jun 01, 2020•41 min•Season 3Ep. 1
If someone told you there is a way to process a total knee set in 1 hour 23 minutes vs. 4 hours and 7 minutes, would you hesitate? The tune of the conversation in healthcare has changed to that of resuming elective surgeries post-COVID and finding efficiencies is the only way to keep up with the increasing case load. What are the products that can help surgery centers and hospitals with both efficiency and safety? On this week’s release of the Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight Series, we talk to Chu...
May 29, 2020•39 min
How do you get your Sterile Processing department's successes, updates, and requests in front of your hospital CEO, CNO, CFO, surgeons, Operating Room leadership, nurses, surgical technicians, and SPD staff? On this episode of Fighting Dirty, Hank talks about how to leverage the power of a department newsletter to shine a much needed spotlight on all the hard work your team is doing keeping patients safe in your hospital. You and your team are doing amazing things, you deserve to get some attent...
May 27, 2020•9 min
Often times the most obvious ways to improve are the hardest to see. That's why teams of all sizes, in all industries, can benefit from an outside perspective. On this week's episode, Hank and Justin speak with longtime perioperative consultant, Paul Wafer, about the importance of efficiency and communication within a surgical service team. Paul's unique approach has benefited thousands of hospital and surgery center teams through enacting simple changes that increase case accuracy and flow, ult...
May 25, 2020•32 min•Season 8Ep. 8
On this week's episode, Bob continues his series on the sterilization process and talks specifically about unloading the sterilizer. What are the critical things to consider to ensure sterility from the moment you crack that sterilizer door? Tune in for more clinical education and training around #SuccessfulSterilizationCycles . Have a question for Bob? Email him at: Bob@beyondclean.net #RealTalk #BobMarrs #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™ Click To Subscribe on YouTube , iTunes , Stitcher , Google Pla...
May 20, 2020•5 min
The mission of Sterile Processing is not one that can be accomplished alone. We need people throughout our healthcare facilities to back us, to support us, and to help make the case for improvements throughout surgical services--especially Sterile Processing. On this episode, we talked with Melissa Morgan about the importance of Infection Prevention understanding the detailed work and the level of importance in Sterile Processing. Melissa gives an account of her journey from paramedic to nurse t...
May 18, 2020•29 min•Season 8Ep. 7
Do you have questions about N95 mask reprocessing in your Sterile Processing department? Things like, "Why is cellulose such a big deal when seeking to reprocess certain masks in certain ways?" "Is there such a thing as "cleaning" a mask prior to reprocessing?" Well, we've got answers. On this bonus episode of Beyond Clean, we sit down with Janet Prust, Global Standards Director for 3M Medical Solutions Division to help us answer many of these questions and give critical insights into upholding ...
May 14, 2020•23 min
In this episode, Lindsay talks about the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will encourage you, support you and help you grow as a professional. Join her for today's #GrowthSpurt on curating meaningful connections. Have a question or comment for Linds? Email her at: Lindsay@beyondclean.net #GrowthSpurt #LindsayBrown #SterileProcessing #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™ Click To Subscribe on YouTube , iTunes , Stitcher , Google Play or Spotify or Visit Our Website !...
May 13, 2020•2 min
The Emergency Department has a unique set of needs when it comes to instrumentation. The quality of instruments in kits used in the ER can vary greatly -- a common pain point for physicians working in this department at many hospitals. On this week's episode we talked with Dr. Patrick O'Malley, who has focused much of his time on researching reusable vs. disposable instruments and the frequent pain points that come with specific instruments common to the Emergency Department. Dr. O'Malley focuse...
May 11, 2020•34 min•Season 8Ep. 6
On this release of the Beyond Clean "COVID-19 Impact Series", we speak with Kate Lee, a director of Surgical Services in Florida and active Navy Reservist who was deployed to the frontline of COVID-19 in New York City. 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. To meet this need, Beyond Clean has opened up an ANONYMOUS voicemail hotline and ...
May 07, 2020•16 min
If you want to light a fuse under a Sterile Processing technician, call them a "glorified dishwasher." Few things seem to get under our skin quicker than this one phrase that has been weaponized by frustrated healthcare workers who don't value how CRITICAL we actually are to patient care, and how complex our jobs really can be. However, on this episode of Fighting Dirty, Hank pushes back against our immediate response in a way that every SPD professional should listen to and take to heart. This ...
May 06, 2020•3 min
As we age, we lose our visual acuity and this could have serious impacts on the instrument inspection process in Sterile Processing departments. Enhanced visual inspection is being talked about more and more-- and for good reason. On this episode we talk with Cory Hanosh, President and Founder of Northstate Vision Technology to discuss the critical need for technology that sets our inspection process up for success. Cory talks about the risk of missing early warning signs of instrument defects a...
May 04, 2020•27 min•Season 8Ep. 5
On this week's episode, Bob breaks down the sterilization process and talks specifically about load preparation as it pertains to peel packs, wrapped trays and rigid containers. Tune in for more clinical education and training around #SuccessfulSterilizationCycles. Have a question for Bob? Email him at: Bob@beyondclean.net #RealTalk #BobMarrs #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™ Click To Subscribe on YouTube , iTunes , Stitcher , Google Play or Spotify or Visit Our Website !...
Apr 29, 2020•5 min
If you were given the opportunity to make a significant impact on the sustainability of the Sterile Processing industry as a profession, would you take it? Sterile Processing is a high-risk, high-stress, and high-tech industry. In many facilities it isn't sufficiently supported financially, in terms of safety, and also in terms of education-based career ladders and on this week’s episode we talk with Dr. Peter Nichol who is spearheading a research project that could change the way this industry ...
Apr 27, 2020•41 min•Season 8Ep. 4
This video is an introduction to a new Beyond Clean YouTube series called 60-Second Growth Spurt. As sterile processing professionals, you are asked to show up every single day and perform tasks that save lives. Twice a month, Lindsay Brown will give practical ways that you can grow professionally and keep a little sanity along the way while you do this life-saving work. Have a question or comment for Linds? Email her at: Lindsay@beyondclean.net #GrowthSpurt #LindsayBrown #SterileProcessing #Bey...
Apr 22, 2020•1 min
Time is of the essence, and so is research- especially when it comes to residual protein on reprocessed instruments. In the United Kingdom, there's been strong concern about prion diseases within proteins. The Department of Health in the UK has been actively looking at, and concerned about, the numbers of people who are contaminated with variant CJD or have a high volume of amyloid protein which leads to Alzheimer's Disease. On this week's episode we talk with Mark Campbell, Decontamination Serv...
Apr 20, 2020•28 min•Season 8Ep. 3
What do Hydrogen Peroxide, Ethylene Oxide and Peracetic Acid have in common? They are all designed to kill and ChemDAQ Inc. is the innovator behind the best-in-class chemical monitoring systems that are critical to keeping workers safe around them. For 30 years, ChemDAQ Inc. has been creating technology that monitors real-time levels of the most dangerous chemicals used in hospitals. On this week’s release of the Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight Series, we speak with David Hilliker about the evolut...
Apr 17, 2020•32 min
Have you noticed the growing wave of Sterile Processing social media content coming out over the last few years? Are you following the conversations or still trying to catch up? On this episode of Fighting Dirty, Hank puts a spotlight on the #SterileProcessing hashtag and discusses how to use this tool to help you find valuable industry insights and ensure your content gets in front of the right people, especially on Linkedin. Tune in to #GetSocial. #FightingDirty #HankBalch #BeyondClean #WeFigh...
Apr 15, 2020•6 min
The chemicals used to sterilize medical devices are near-odorless and are designed to kill all life. Front line sterilization technicians have every reason to question why hazardous chemicals are not monitored in their department. In this episode of the Beyond Clean podcast we talk with David Hilliker, a champion of worker safety in the healthcare industry about why it's important to care about the potential for chemical exposure. He talks with Justin Poulin and Bob Marrs about the roles governm...
Apr 13, 2020•30 min•Season 8Ep. 2
On this week's episode, Bob breaks down the sterilization process and talks about the must-have preventative maintenance and load configuration details necessary for sterilization success. Tune in for more clinical education and training around #SuccessfulSterilizationCycles. Have a question for Bob? Email him at: Bob@BeyondClean.net #RealTalk #BobMarrs #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty™ Click To Subscribe on YouTube , iTunes , Stitcher , Google Play or Spotify or Visit Our Website !...
Apr 08, 2020•6 min
