Sterile Storage Wars: Winning the Battle for Space in Sterile Processing
Release Date: 07/24/2020
A Speck in Your Eye: Putting an End to the Finger-Pointing
Beyond Clean Podcast
Black specks may be small, but the tension they create between departments can be anything but. In this episode of “What the Speck?,” Alex Miseirvitch from Aesculap® joins us again to talk about one of the most overlooked challenges in solving the black speck mystery—finger-pointing. When trays are rejected and surgeries are delayed, the pressure to find someone responsible can quickly overshadow the real goal: protecting patients and solving the issue together. Alex shares lessons from the field on how teams can move past blame and work together to find real solutions. Because when...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Assembly Without Disruptions
Beyond Clean Podcast
You’re building a tray. The phone rings. Someone needs an update. You step away… and just like that, the process breaks. On this week’s episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Katie Belski are joined by Art Babiy, Jennifer Greisen, and Ebow Holdbrook-Smith to talk through the real challenges #CleanFreaks are facing in assembly areas. From stepping away mid-tray and chasing down tools to managing constant distractions and pressure from the OR, this conversation calls out the moments where processes can break down and how your team can stay on track. If...
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SPD Fact Check - The $4,999 Problem: What Invoice Splitting Really Costs SPD Leaders
Beyond Clean Podcast
$4,999. In many SPDs, that number can be the difference between getting what your department needs—or waiting months for approval. On this episode of Beyond Clean, we’re joined by Stephen Benzel, Director of Accounting at LifeSpring Health Systems, to take a closer look at the financial decisions directly impacting how your SPD operates day to day. From the risks tied to splitting invoices to how budget structures can push teams toward short-term workarounds, Stephen brings clarity to the financial side of Sterile Processing. He also explores what stronger collaboration with finance...
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Problems in the Pipes: Is Water Causing Your Black Specks?
Beyond Clean Podcast
When black specks show up in your trays, water is often the first suspect—but is it really to blame? In this episode of “What the Speck?,” Christian Abell from Aesculap’s Surgical Asset Management team dives into one of the most common theories behind the black speck mystery: water quality. From city water changes and construction disturbances to failing filters and aging equipment, Christian breaks down how contaminants can make their way from the pipes into your reprocessing workflows. If you’ve ever suspected the culprit might be hiding somewhere in your water system, the trail of...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Why Brush Selection Matters
Beyond Clean Podcast
Think one brush fits all? Think again! On this week’s episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” hosts Jill Holdsworth and Trevor Hazen are joined by Nelson Winter, Emily Barnard, and Ron Hunsucker to take a closer look at how brush selection, sizing, and technique impact your manual cleaning process. From choosing the right brush size and type to knowing when a brush has reached the end of its life, this group calls out the habits that can quietly compromise your workflow. They also highlight how training, storage, and daily practices can make or break consistency across your team. Grab your...
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SPD Fact Check - Just Roll with It? The Dirty Truth about Instrument Transport
Beyond Clean Podcast
It might only be a few steps from the OR to decontam, so how do you ensure your instruments get there safely? This week on Season 32 “SPD Fact Check,” we’re joined by veteran Sterile Processing consultant Marc Finch as he shares what it really takes to move contaminated instruments safely through your facility. From what AAMI ST79 requires to why back table drapes and biohazard bags fall short, Marc walks us through the critical steps that can often be overlooked. He also highlights how gaps in transport practices can expose staff, damage instruments, and create risks throughout your...
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Clear the Air: Rethinking PPE Protection in SPD
Beyond Clean Podcast
Is the PPE your team relies on actually built for the environment you work in? On this week’s Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™, Ken Arthur and Desiree Acedo from MAXAIR® Systems join us to explore how the MAXAIR® CAPR® system is redefining safety, comfort, and protection in high-heat, high-moisture decontamination environments. With ANSI-AAMI PB 70 Level 4 Fluid/Splash and NIOSH Approved Respiratory protection, adjustable airflow, and a lightweight, fog-free design, this innovative PPE helps techs stay protected and comfortable through even the toughest days in decontam. From reducing...
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A Trail of Breadcrumbs: Getting to the Source of Your Black Speck Issue
Beyond Clean Podcast
Behind every black speck is a process, a piece of equipment, or a hidden culprit waiting to be discovered. In this episode of “What the Speck?,” SPD professional and consultant Warren Nist joins us to discuss how departments can move beyond identifying debris and begin uncovering the root cause behind it. From quality reports and workflow data to full department risk assessments, Warren walks through how experienced SPD teams track contamination back to its source. We also uncover some surprising culprits—from worn equipment components to debris hiding inside washers, carts, and even on...
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On Pathogens & PPE: What’s Hiding in Your Lumens
Beyond Clean Podcast
You followed the IFU. You brushed. You flushed. So it’s clean… right? On this week’s episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” hosts Jill Holdsworth and Brandon Gantt are teaming up with Aaron Preston, Cheron Rojo, and Jahan Azizi to take a closer look at what’s hiding inside your lumen instruments. As more departments adopt borescopes, teams are uncovering retained debris, moisture, and internal damage that would have otherwise gone unnoticed, even when reprocessing steps were correctly followed. From understanding what you’re seeing to knowing what to do when something doesn’t...
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SPD Fact Check - Workin' at the Cart Wash: Exploring SPD's Biggest Washer
Beyond Clean Podcast
Case carts in, case carts out—but do you really know what’s happening inside your SPD’s cart washer? On this episode of Beyond Clean, we’re joined by Angus Bruce as he breaks down what modern cart washers are actually capable of—and where teams can run into trouble without realizing it. From when it makes sense to run instruments through them to why your chemistries might be expiring in the detergent room, Angus walks us through the decisions that can’t be overlooked. He also highlights how gaps in maintenance and setup can quietly contribute to particulate contamination showing up...
info_outlineWhen 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 episode of the Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight Series we talk with Amy Flynn, North American OR/CS Market Manager for Hänel Storage Systems about the lessons learned from other industries in using vertical space to combat the storage issues that come with adding new procedures and equipment. The vertical storage carousel technology that has benefited countless industries is available to help decrease the time it takes to pick a case cart, integrate with tracking systems to give real-time inventory data, protect the staff in your department from an ergonomic perspective, and ultimately make better use of what little storage space is available. It’s time to look up and tune in to learn more.
Learn more about Hänel Storage Systems by visiting www.hanel.us. Follow Hänel Storage Systems on LinkedIn and Twitter. You can also e-mail the Hänel Storage Systems team at info@hanel.us. Download case studies and white papers at www.sterilestorage.com.
#Hänel #Rotomat #StorageCarousel #SterileStorage #LookUp #VerticalStorage #Industry #Workflow #Ergonomics #CaseCarts #SterileProcessing #BeyondClean #WeFightDirty #SPD #CS #MDR #SPS #Surgery