On Pathogens & PPE: Transporting Contaminated Instruments
Release Date: 02/17/2026
On Pathogens & PPE: Environmental Emergencies in SPD
Beyond Clean Podcast
Temperature swings, humidity spikes, HVAC failures, and water emergencies — oh my! In this episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Benjamin Galvan are joined by Jonathan Wilder, Chase Elms, and Aaron Preston to explore how environmental emergencies can impact Sterile Processing operations. Together, they tackle real-world scenarios that can quickly disrupt workflows and threaten patient safety. Tune in to learn how risk assessments, strong partnerships with facilities teams, and a clear response plan can help your department stay prepared when the unexpected...
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Season 20 Rewind - Scrubs PPE Etiquette: These Scrubs Aren't Made for Walking
Beyond Clean Podcast
Season 32 launches on April 6th. In the meantime, enjoy this rewind episode from season 20 of Beyond Clean! Whether they are OR green, bio-burgundy, or powder blue, scrubs in any color are the first line of defense in your sterile processing PPE. But what are the best practices when it comes to the base layer of protection? Season 20 of the Beyond Clean podcast, "Armed & (Compliantly) Dangerous," is all about personal protective equipment (PPE) and in this episode Afif Escheik, Regional Director of Operations at Crothall Healthcare lays out the guidance to keep you, your central...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Why Water Quality Matters
Beyond Clean Podcast
Think water is just water? Not in Sterile Processing! In this episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Aaron Preston are joined by water quality experts Shane Sullivan and Jeffrey Paquet to break down why water quality matters and what the ST108 standard means for your SPD. Together, they explore key concepts like utility water vs. critical water and dig into what RO, DI, and UV systems actually do behind the scenes of instrument reprocessing. Tune in to learn how to recognize early warning signs of water quality issues and why building a strong water...
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Season 20 Rewind - Ready for Reprocessing: It Comes Down to the Gown
Beyond Clean Podcast
Season 32 launches on April 6th. In the meantime, enjoy this rewind episode from season 20 of Beyond Clean! When you’re working in sterile processing, PPE gowns are more than a fashion statement. Are you dressed to the nines? Is your protective equipment in a class of their own? And most importantly, do your gowns match your shoe covers? Season 20 of the Beyond Clean podcast, "Armed & (Compliantly) Dangerous," is all about personal protective equipment (PPE) and in this episode we discuss how the fit and function of decontamination gowns can be a significant factor in...
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On Pathogens & PPE: The Challenge of Robotic Instrument Reprocessing
Beyond Clean Podcast
Robotic surgery is a game-changer for patient care — but what does that mean for the teams responsible for safely reprocessing these complex instruments? In this episode of "On Pathogens & PPE," hosts Jill Holdsworth and Rebecca Alvino are joined by Rebecca Peplau, Vanessa Frank, and Tamara Behm to tackle the most common challenges of robotic instrument reprocessing. From sinks that are too small and complex IFUs to flushing challenges and drying dilemmas, these experts break down what it truly takes to safely reprocess these intricate devices. Tune in to learn which quality checks...
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Season 20 Rewind - Not In Our House: A Team Approach to Decon Protection
Beyond Clean Podcast
Season 32 launches on April 6th. In the meantime, enjoy this rewind episode from season 20 of Beyond Clean! Of all of the songs on your Decontam playlist, “As Cold as Ice” isn’t likely to be one of them. Under layers of gowns, masks, face shields and other PPE, the temperature in your decontamination areas can skyrocket, presenting a real risk to engagement and even employee safety. Season 20 of the Beyond Clean Podcast is all about personal protective equipment (PPE) and in this debut episode we discuss how one team used collaboration and innovation to help address...
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Beyond Clean Canada: More Than Instruments: Supporting Canada's MDR Community
Beyond Clean Podcast
Behind every sterilized instrument is a dedicated MDR professional. So, how do we support these professionals who make surgery possible every single day? On this season finale of Beyond Clean Canada, hosts Barry and Stacey sit down with the Canadian Association of Medical Device Reprocessing (CAMDR) President, Danny LeBlanc, and Secretary, Stephanie Mailman-Crouse, to explore how CAMDR is building community and elevating the profession from coast to coast. Danny shares his journey through the MDR career ladder and why mentorship matters, while Stephanie breaks down how communication and...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Hand Hygiene in SPD
Beyond Clean Podcast
Hey #CleanFreaks, pop quiz: When's the last time you washed your hands on the clean side, and should you have? On this episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” host Jill Holdsworth, co-host Rebecca Alvino, and special guests Ebow Holdbrook-Smith and Ivan Gowe dive into the gray areas of when, where, and how SPD staff should be performing hand hygiene. From identifying the critical transition points where hands need to be cleaned to understanding why your decontam sink is off-limits for handwashing, these IP experts tackle what's missing in current guidance and how to build better hand hygiene...
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Under Pressure - Out of Steam: Responding to Sterilization Shutdowns
Beyond Clean Podcast
Picture this: your steam goes down on a busy Tuesday morning. Cases are booked, patients are waiting, and your sterilizers won't run. What's your team’s first move? On this episode of Beyond Clean, we sit down with Jennifer Greisen from Aesculap to tackle one of SPD's most uncomfortable questions: what do you do when your department can't sterilize instruments, and the clock is ticking? With decades of experience in offsite reprocessing and disaster recovery, Jennifer walks us through how true disaster preparedness begins long before the crisis hits. From real-world scenarios like water loss...
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Let’s Be Clear(ed): A NEW 2nd FDA Clearance and a NEW President/CEO
Beyond Clean Podcast
Big news from ONE TRAY®! On this Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™ episode, we’re joined by Tim Tzimas, newly appointed President & CEO of ONE TRAY®/IST, along with Barbara Ann Harmer, Vice President of Clinical Services, to share two major ONE TRAY® announcements. Listen in to learn more about Tim’s story and what inspired him to take the helm of ONE TRAY/IST. Also learn about ONE TRAY®’s secondary FDA clearance: 365-day event-related shelf life/storage period with a 15-minute minimum dry time. What does that mean for your SPD? Tune in to find out! To learn more and to virtually...
info_outlineFrom the OR to SPD, those contaminated instruments are on the move, and so are pathogens! In this Season 2 premiere of "On Pathogens & PPE," host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Nicholas Day are joined by Rebecca Lauber, Kendall Ashe, Adam Okada, and Crystal Heishman to break down what really happens when soiled instruments leave the OR and make their journey to decontam. From point-of-use pre-treatment and biofilm build-up to OSHA requirements and AAMI standards, this crew digs into what it really means to move biohazards safely through your facility. Because soil transport isn’t just about getting instruments from A to B -- it’s about protecting everyone they pass along the way!
Over the next 12 weeks, Jill and special guests from across the industry will team up to share actionable strategies for fighting pathogens while building stronger partnerships between Sterile Processing and Infection Prevention teams. Whether you're in SPD, IP, or both—this series is designed to empower you and your team with the knowledge and tools that make a real difference!
New episodes of On Pathogens & PPE will release each Tuesday on all Beyond Clean & Transmission Control channels. A special thanks to our Year 2 sponsor, Healthmark, A Getinge Company, for making this series possible.
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*Disclaimer: The views provided by hosts and guests on this series do not represent any employer, company, or third party, and are solely that of the individuals themselves.