Let's face it -- studying for your certification exam can feel overwhelming in more ways than one. And it can come on you at different times, during different chapters, and in different ways. Join us this week for a jam-packed episode of Confident Certification™ where hosts Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker delve into time management strategies, explore creative learning methods, and help you discover tips for maximizing focus and memory BEFORE you become overwhelmed. In this episode, you'll learn ...
Dec 19, 2023•31 min
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses the likelihood of achieving a universal consensus on Sterile Processing acronyms: “In light of this reality, where does that leave us? It seems we have what Americans love best: freedom. Freedom to call our departments whatever we want. Freedom to use any acronym to name our organizations, and freedom to reference our industry by any phrase we would like, as long as we…” To read this article, take the CE quiz & download ...
Dec 14, 2023•6 min
Are you tired of feeling stuck in your test prep? ➡️ Join Sarah B. Cruz on this week's episode of Confident Certification™ as we explore her vision of "SMART-ER goals" and unlock their power to boost your study sessions and propel you and your coworkers towards certification success in Sterile Processing! Learn how to: Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals (SMART) Edit and Review your goals for maximum impact (the ER!) Create a roadmap to confident certification su...
Dec 12, 2023•16 min
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch outlines why proper lighting is critical throughout Sterile Processing workflows for inspection, disinfection, and tracking: “Ultraviolet light (UV) is one of the most helpful types of light in the sterile processing world. New technologies integrating the power of UV light can change everything from the way your department handles hand-washed items to how you monitor the effectiveness of your cleaning processes. Some companies have…"...
Dec 07, 2023•7 min
Things don't always go according to plan when it comes to studying for or teaching students ahead of their professional certification test. What do you do when you put in all that work studying but still end up failing on the big day? Host Sarah B. Cruz has been there, and shares her tips for bouncing back after an unsuccessful certification attempt. Learn how to reframe failure as an opportunity for growth and use it to fuel your motivation to succeed next time. Tune in to hear Sarah's upliftin...
Dec 05, 2023•41 min
Join us for this new Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™ featuring Mark Copeland from 3T Medical, as he shares his insights from 18 years in spine sales and 10 years partnering with Sterile Processing and Operating Room teams from around the US. Mark explains common challenges faced by vendor reps and how collaboration across OR, Sterile Processing, and hospital leadership drives true success. Learn how breaking down silos with partners who understand all perspectives is the key to big wins. He offer...
Dec 01, 2023•38 min
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch critiques the safety hazards and design flaws with some of our SPD’s most used equipment: "Whether it is the tape dispenser, washer manifold, or some other sharp/hot/slippery corner of our world, until we talk about it, we can’t expect to find solutions. Very few in the research and development sector of the Sterile Processing industry have ever set foot in a Sterile Processing department. In some sense, that’s understandable. They ar...
Nov 30, 2023•7 min
When your certification journey hits a roadblock, how do you rebound? Join host Sarah B. Cruz on this episode of Confident Certification™ as she navigates the challenging terrain of exam failure and the subsequent retesting process. Discover the importance of emotional processing before jumping back into strategic planning. Gain insights on how to capitalize on retesting intervals to identify knowledge deficiencies and craft improved study blueprints. Sarah will guide you on how not to let setba...
Nov 28, 2023•15 min
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch identifies the key habits and commitments that set highly effective Sterile Processing departments apart from average ones: “As with all habits, these behaviors and commitments did not mature overnight, and some were years in the making. Even so, implementing and encouraging these seven habits among your team can and will change the qualitative direction of your department regardless of…” To listen to the full episode click here . To ...
Nov 23, 2023•8 min
On this week's episode of Confident Certification™ Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker discuss what it really means to "be your own biggest fan" on the journey toward certification. They talk about celebrating small wins and milestones, finding motivation in purpose, and leaning into a growth mindset when faced with failures or imposter syndrome. Sarah and Bobby explore how self-belief ties into being a fan of yourself while also emphasizing that confidence shouldn't slip into obsessive self-focus or...
Nov 21, 2023•25 min
Join us this week as we wrap up Season 22 "All 'Bout Consumables" with guest Robby Miller, Manager of Sterile Processing at Dignity Health's St. Joseph's Hospital, sharing his strategies for managing consumables at a high level. Robby shares tips on stewarding department resources through education, the place of consumables in process improvement, and leveraging vendor relationships to drive efficiency. We discuss considerations for implementing new products like trial periods and staff feedback...
Nov 20, 2023•32 min•Season 22Ep. 8
Who's got your back on the road to certification? Why does it matter? On this week's edition of Confident Certification™, host Sarah B. Cruz talks about the importance of finding a supportive community when pursuing your certification goals. Tune in to hear key tips on how to build your network, connect with fellow Sterile Processing professionals in the same season of study, and find the right spaces to be supported on your certification journey. You'll walk away feeling motivated and ready to ...
Nov 14, 2023•19 min
Join us this week on Beyond Clean as we chat with Rory Burke, Lead Medical Supply Technician and member of the Beyond Clean Advisory Group, about consumables such as protein residue testing tools in Sterile Processing. On this episode, we discuss the differences between ATP and protein methods, workflow considerations, guidelines and standards around testing, and best practices for investigating failures. Rory provides perspective from the front lines on why protein testing adds value in monitor...
Nov 13, 2023•34 min•Season 22Ep. 7
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses the career advancement opportunities the "Great Resignation" presented for Sterile Processing professionals: -- "If you are willing to stick with your current employer through this season of employment upheaval, you position yourself very powerfully to be strongly considered for that next step up the department career ladder. Job descriptions and role requirements that were written in the previous job market, with a heavy em...
Nov 09, 2023•7 min
Are you that brave, adventurous type of Sterile Processing technician? Do you prefer to go your own pace, and set your own goals? Then self-study for the certification exam may be for you! Join hosts Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker on this episode of Confident Certification™ as they provide tips for creating your own curriculum, outlining key topics, and incorporating formal and informal education resources into your independent exam prep. Learn how to structure your study time, pace yourself thr...
Nov 07, 2023•27 min
What's blue and has flaps? A bluebird. What's blue and can be folded? Blue jeans! What's blue and can save lives? Now THAT's a good question. Join us for this episode of Season 22, featuring Sterile Processing Educator and member of the Beyond Clean Advisory Group Sean Weir, as he joins us to discuss the iconic blue wrap - a polyproplene material used to package surgical instruments all around the world. Sean shares his best tips on proper wrapping technique, common mistakes to avoid when using ...
Nov 06, 2023•36 min•Season 22Ep. 6
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses why IFUs, not sales reps, should be trusted when it comes to instrument reprocessing: -- “…it is imperative that we build a culture and expectation among our team that we welcome rep-based education, but always take everything we hear with a big grain of salt. In other words, listen for insights, but verify everything with a more reliable external source (more on that in a moment).” To listen to the full episode click here ....
Nov 02, 2023•5 min
Tired of staring at the same textbook page for hours? On this week's episode of Confident Certification™, Sarah B. Cruz feels your study pain and is dishing out tips to make every minute of certification prep count! Find your prime study spot - whether it's noisy or quiet, solo or in a group. Learn how to get real about your schedule and build in flexibility as Sarah gets real about her own distractions (helloooo, iPhone!) and how she creates quality focus time. Tune in to hear why structure mat...
Oct 31, 2023•18 min
Clean? Really Clean? Just a Dream? What does "Clean" even mean? Join us for this week's new release from Season 22 on Beyond Clean, featuring Pawel de Sternberg Stojalowski, an expert in decontamination science and cleaning verification fanatic! We pitch Pawel some of the most important questions related to clinically relevant test soils, optimizing washer loading techniques, and adopting a critical thinking approach to achieving true cleanliness in our workflows. Tune in to hear about emerging ...
Oct 30, 2023•36 min•Season 22Ep. 5
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 valuable time standing around waiting for everyone to finally get in place. Regardless of the good or ...
Oct 26, 2023•6 min
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 retain info AND stay motivated. Plus, we're banishing the idea that note-taking has to be boring once and...
Oct 24, 2023•19 min
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 can dominate your BI documentation, every capsule, every time! Plus Adam brings the heat with his insi...
Oct 23, 2023•34 min•Season 22Ep. 3
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 listen to the full episode click here . To read this article, take the CE quiz & download your certi...
Oct 19, 2023•6 min
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 highlighter and your thinking cap for pro-tips on active reading and gleaning what's REALLY going to mat...
Oct 17, 2023•26 min
"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 episode, you’ll find out where brushes should and should NOT reside—plus strategies to keep your sink stocke...
Oct 16, 2023•31 min•Season 22Ep. 3
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 (flash and IUSS) that have substantial, if not identical, meanings today—and an entire industry full of....
Oct 12, 2023•6 min
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 understand the deeper concepts behind the different approaches to test taking! Over the next 52 weeks, Sara...
Oct 10, 2023•17 min
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 optimize workflows and build staff competency for this small-but-mighty sterility assurance tool! Tune in ...
Oct 09, 2023•33 min•Season 22Ep. 2
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 educating SPD professionals around industry best practices, and with a legacy dating back 25+ years, Sha...
Oct 06, 2023•45 min
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 sterile processing leader wants more of: support . When this realization took hold..." To listen to the...
Oct 05, 2023•5 min
