The Processes that Save Lives: Washer Loading for the Win
Release Date: 11/11/2024
Beyond Clean Podcast
Feeling overwhelmed by Canada's newest dental sterilization standards? You’re not alone. In this kickoff episode of our newest podcast series “Sterilization Standards Unpacked: Navigating Canada’s Dental Guidelines," host Sarah B. Cruz takes us back to basics with a clear, practical look at who writes the standards, how they’re enforced, and why they don’t always look the same from province to province. Along the way, she breaks down the most common points of confusion for dental teams and explains how to begin building a more consistent, compliant approach to reprocessing. If your...
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The dreaded missing indicator—you've trained on it, created systems for it, and yet trays still reach the OR without them. What if technology could catch that mistake before the tray ever leaves your department? On this episode of Beyond Clean, Gregory Warino, Director of Central Sterile Processing at Mercy Health, shares how his team used AI to tackle missing CIs across three facilities. From getting skeptical staff on board to watching the technology actually catch missing indicators before trays leave assembly, Gregory breaks down the real story behind implementing AI in SPD—from what...
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What if your department could go from over 10% immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS) cycles to nearly zero? In the Season 31 premiere of Beyond Clean, we’re joined by Monica Anderson, Sterile Processing Manager and the fearless leader of a team that did exactly that. Monica walks us through the real-world strategies her department used to identify every pathway leading to IUSS—and how they systematically shut them down. From leading hands-on education in decontam to building stronger partnerships with the OR, Monica shares how data, trust, and teamwork turned high IUSS numbers into an...
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Accreditation surveys don’t start when the clipboard walks in—they start with your culture, your training, and your daily workflows. In this series finale of “Sterile Horizons,” host Bobby Parker talks with Jenny Manderino, Senior Director of Accreditation Services at LifeCare Health, to break down what it really takes to stay inspection-ready in a fast-paced ASC. From culture-building tips to documentation must-dos, Jenny delivers her real-world strategies to help your team shift from reactive to ready. If you want to lead with confidence when the surveyor walks in, this episode is...
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The temp spikes. The humidity climbs. Your sterile storage alarms go off—now what? In this episode of Beyond Clean's Tray Command, we sit down with Senior Infection Preventionist Stephen Rusbarsky to explore the brand-new ASHRAE 43 guideline and what it means for Sterile Processing. Stephen breaks down what changes, what stays the same, and how this new guidance outlines actionable steps for responding to out-of-range temperature and humidity events. From defining realistic thresholds to understanding when to monitor, when to escalate, and when reprocessing is actually required, he'll walk...
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In the fast-paced world of ASCs, sterility assurance isn’t just a priority—it’s non-negotiable. But what does getting it right actually look like? In this episode of “Sterile Horizons,” we’re joined by clinical compliance expert, Sharon Greene Golden, for an honest look at the tools, techniques, and team habits that help SPDs stay on track. From washer testing missteps to misunderstood indicators and documentation gaps, Sharon breaks down the details that matter—and the education gaps that could be holding teams back. If you’re ready to tighten up your workflow and build...
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Every successful surgery starts with a perfectly assembled case cart. But what happens when the next cart rolling into the OR is missing a critical supply or instrument? This week, we’re joined by Courtney Kleeb, Senior Director of Perioperative Surgical Solutions at HealthTrust Performance Group, for a deep dive into what really drives case cart success. From preference card cleanup to fixing inefficient pick paths that send your team zigzagging, Courtney breaks down the real-world strategies that turn incomplete carts into streamlined workflows. Whether you're dealing with multiple...
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Better protection. Less waste. Could your instrument tip protectors really do both? On this special Beyond Clean and Power Supply Vendor Spotlight™ co-release episode, we’re joined by Gabrielle Kelly and Kristi Schelhaas, Co-Founders of Raine Medical, to explore their S.A.F.E.R. approach to instrument protection. Learn how their PVC-free, recyclable tip protectors eliminate sticky residue, optimize ventilation, and feature anti-roll designs that will protect your surgical instrumentation through every stage of reprocessing. Through their commitment to performance and sustainability,...
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When trays are turning fast and supplies are running low, it’s not just the shelves that feel the strain—it’s also your staff. In this episode of “Sterile Horizons,” we sit down with Bobbie Gaskins to talk candidly about what it takes to keep Sterile Processing departments running in lean ASC environments. From building smarter vendor partnerships to getting creative with limited sets, Bobbie shares strategies that are as real as they are resourceful. If your team is feeling the weight of doing more with less, this conversation delivers practical tools and relatable wisdom to help...
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You’re in the middle of a normal day, and suddenly an emergency case is called. Your team reaches for the emergency cart… and that’s when it hits you: something’s missing. It’s a scenario every SPD and OR team dreads—and one that longtime OR/SPD leader David Taylor has seen more than once in his career. In this episode of Beyond Clean’s Tray Command, David joins us to take a real-world look at what keeps emergency, trauma, and crash carts truly “emergency ready.” From preventing “just this once” borrowing to the importance of clear ownership and routine checks, David...
info_outlineYour washer’s spray arms are spinning, but are your instruments actually getting clean? On this week’s episode of Beyond Clean, "The Processes that Save Lives," we're diving into the science of proper washer loading with Anna Castillo-Gutierrez, Sterile Processing Educator at Texas Children's Hospital. From protecting your SPD’s most delicate instruments to washer testing dos and don’ts, Anna reveals why understanding the 'why' behind your washer loading techniques is crucial for patient safety and automated cleaning effectiveness. Is your department setting every cycle up for cleaning success? Get ready to turn up the volume and fire up those washers -- this is one episode you don’t want to miss!
Season 26 of Beyond Clean releases under the 1 Episode = 1 CE delivery model. After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week.
Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits.
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