The Right Fit: Protection That Goes Beyond the Glove
First Case Podcast
Every surgical procedure depends on a reliable barrier between clinicians and patients, but is every glove designed to deliver the same level of protection? On this week's First Case Vendor Spotlight™, Rachel Dalton, MSN, RN, CPPS, Global Manager of Medical Affairs at Cardinal Health™, discusses how the Protexis™ Surgical Glove Portfolio is helping OR teams stay ahead of evolving best practices around glove changing, double-gloving, and latex-free surgical environments. With features like Neu-Thera™ coating, independent thumb design, and interlocking beaded cuffs, the Protexis™...
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Silo-Free Surgery: Why Are We Talking About IFUs?
First Case Podcast
Every day, healthcare teams rely on IFUs to get the job done. But how often do we stop to think about how they actually come together? In this week's special season co-release episode, Garrett Hollembeak sits down with Alpa Patel to take a closer look at why manufacturers' instructions for use play such an important role in preventing surgical site infections. Drawing on decades of experience in reprocessing validation, Alpa explains how IFUs are developed, why they don't always fit real clinical workflows, and what manufacturers can learn from the frontline teams using them every day. If...
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Silo-Free Surgery: Are ASC's Really the Wild West?
First Case Podcast
The pace may be different, but the goal is exactly the same: delivering safe surgical care. In this week's special season co-release episode, we talk with Carlene Smith about what surgical site infection prevention looks like in ambulatory surgery centers. As someone who's worked in Sterile Processing, Infection Prevention, and the OR, Carlene shares her unique perspective on the challenges ASC teams face every day. From balancing limited resources and shared responsibilities to identifying small gaps before they become bigger problems, she discusses how ASC teams can stay proactive while...
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Silo-Free Surgery: Have We Gone Nose Blind?
First Case Podcast
Could the biggest opportunities to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) be the ones you've stopped noticing? In this week’s special season co-release episode, Garrett Hollembeak sits down with Crystal Heishman for a conversation about seeing SSI prevention through a different lens. With experience spanning Infection Prevention, Sterile Processing, and the Operating Room, Crystal shares how stronger collaboration can help teams identify risks before they affect patient safety. She explains why spending time in the OR, asking thoughtful questions, and understanding workflows builds trust,...
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Silo-Free Surgery: What SSI Risk Keeps You Up at Night?
First Case Podcast
What keeps you up at night when it comes to preventing surgical site infections (SSIs)? In this week’s special season co-release episode, Jeremy Gibson-Roark returns to join hosts Garrett Hollembeak and Lindsey Joyce for a conversation about moving from reactive investigations to proactive prevention. Together, they explore why infection prevention plans should be living documents, how stronger collaboration between OR and IP teams uncovers risks before they become problems, and why some of the best ideas come from simply asking frontline teams the right questions. If preventing SSIs starts...
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Silo-Free Surgery: Where Is the Smoking Gun?
First Case Podcast
Why is it so difficult to trace a surgical site infection (SSI) back to one clear cause? On this special season co-release episode of First Case and Transmission Control, hosts Garrett Hollembeak and Lindsey Joyce are joined by Jeremy Gibson-Roark for an honest conversation about what really happens when an SSI investigation begins. Together, they explore why infection investigations are rarely straightforward, how OR, IP, and SP departments each hold a piece of the puzzle, and why breaking down silos is essential to finding meaningful answers. As the first episode of this special...
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Passing the Mic: Celebrating Melanie Perry's Impact on First Case
First Case Podcast
Every great podcast has a voice that brings each conversation to life. Over the past five years, Melanie Perry has been that voice for First Case. In this special release episode of the First Case Podcast, we celebrate Melanie's incredible journey as host, reflecting on the stories, guests, and moments that made this podcast such a valuable resource for the perioperative community. Joined by Justin Poulin and Garrett Hollembeak, Melanie looks back on where it all began, shares what's next in her own journey, and offers a heartfelt thank you to the listeners and colleagues who have been part of...
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Sterile Processing 101: When Things Go Wrong
First Case Podcast
Even the best systems have moments when things go wrong. What matters most is how we respond. In the Season 19 finale of Sterile Processing 101, Jen Parrott returns to discuss what happens when things go wrong like wet packs, missing instruments, failed indicators, delays, and breakdowns in the process. This episode is a powerful reminder that solving problems requires more than urgency. It requires communication, accountability, and a culture focused on improvement instead of blame. Because when the OR and SPD work together, setbacks become opportunities to build safer systems for every...
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Sterile Processing 101: Storage, Shelf Life, and Event-Related Sterility
First Case Podcast
How much thought do we really give to packaging… until something goes wrong? In today's interview, we explore the often-overlooked world of storage, shelf life, and event-related sterility with Malinda Elammari, CEO of Crown Point Consulting. From blue wrap and rigid containers to peel packs and transport practices, this episode breaks down why packaging is far more than a wrapper. In reality, it's a critical part of protecting sterility and patient safety. Listen now and discover why packaging matters! #operatingroom #sterileprocessing #ornurse #scrubtech
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Sterile Processing 101: Reading the Tray - Indicators, Tape, Filters, and What They Actually Mean
First Case Podcast
How do you know the tray you just opened is truly ready for your patient? In Episode 6 of Sterile Processing 101, we sit down with Adam Okada to take a closer look at the indicators, tape, filters, and packaging features that communicate critical sterility information before instruments ever reach the field. Join us as we discuss what these indicators do, what they don’t tell us, and why the OR team is the final line of defense before those instruments are used on a patient. #operatingroom #sterileprocessing #ornurse #scrubtech
info_outlineCould the biggest opportunities to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) be the ones you've stopped noticing? In this week’s special season co-release episode, Garrett Hollembeak sits down with Crystal Heishman for a conversation about seeing SSI prevention through a different lens. With experience spanning Infection Prevention, Sterile Processing, and the Operating Room, Crystal shares how stronger collaboration can help teams identify risks before they affect patient safety. She explains why spending time in the OR, asking thoughtful questions, and understanding workflows builds trust, uncovers hidden opportunities for improvement, and helps teams focus on process deviations -- not "gotcha" moments. If stronger collaboration starts with stronger conversations, this episode offers practical ideas you can take back to your next huddle.
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#FirstCase #TransmissionControl #OperatingRoom #InfectionPrevention #SiloFreeSurgery #SterileProcessing #Collaboration #Trust #ProcessImprovement #Podcast