Silo-Free Surgery: Say It, Don’t Delay It: Speaking Up to Prevent Surgical Site Infections
Release Date: 08/17/2026
Season 11 Rewind - Going Beyond Opioids: Implementing ERAS Pathways
First Case Podcast
A new season of First Case is coming soon! Until then, we’re bringing some Season 11 favorites back for another listen. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Pathways are changing the surgical experience for our patients. Our surgical patients are experiencing shorter lengths of stay, decreased postoperative pain, a more rapid return of bowel function, and decreased readmission rates. Joining us today to provide more insight into the implementation and benefits of ERAS pathways is Kim Duggan, Senior Director and ERAS Specialist at Pacira Biosciences. Tune in to hear Kim’s personal...
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Season 11 Rewind - Going Beyond Opioids: Redefining Pain Management
First Case Podcast
A new season of First Case is coming soon! Until then, we’re bringing some Season 11 favorites back for another listen. Are you ready for Season 11 to begin?? In this season, we’re “Going Beyond Opioids” and focusing on the opioid crisis and alternative pain management methods. And we’re kicking it off with none other than Orthopedic Surgeon and Opioid Sparing Advocate, Dr. Scott Sigman! Tune in as Dr. Sigman shares his personal experiences and insights into the devastating effects of the opioid crisis and find out what sparked his passion for opioid sparing techniques....
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Silo-Free Surgery: Beyond the Bundle: What IPs Need to See Before, During, and After Surgery
First Case Podcast
All season long, we've been breaking down the silos between the OR and Infection Prevention teams. So where do we go from here? In this "Silo-Free Surgery" season finale episode, Garrett Hollembeak and Lindsey Joyce are joined by Maureen Spencer and Peter Graves to talk about what it takes to turn collaboration into action. They discuss why effective SSI prevention means looking beyond policies and bundles to observe what's really happening before, during, and after surgery. From outdated policies and overlooked environmental risks to direct observation and surgical stewardship, Maureen and...
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Silo-Free Surgery: Say It, Don’t Delay It: Speaking Up to Prevent Surgical Site Infections
First Case Podcast
When something doesn't look right in the OR, do you have the confidence to speak up? In this episode of “Silo-Free Surgery,” Garrett Hollembeak sits down with certified surgical technologist, educator, and infection preventionist Julia Jackson to talk about the role surgical conscience plays in protecting patients and preventing surgical site infections. From protecting the sterile field to slowing down for a meaningful timeout and questioning something that doesn’t look right, Julia shares why doing the right thing in the moment matters, even when it isn't always easy. If you've ever...
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Silo-Free Surgery: PATOS Without the Panic: Understanding “Present at Time of Surgery” in SSI Surveillance
First Case Podcast
The OR sees one thing. Infection Prevention reports another. So who's right? In this episode of “Silo-Free Surgery,” hosts Garrett Hollembeak and Trey Morrow are joined by infection prevention expert Emily Barnard to tackle one of the trickier parts of SSI surveillance: PATOS, or "present at time of surgery." Emily breaks down the difference between clinical and surveillance definitions, why the right documentation matters, and how seemingly small details in the operative note can make all the difference in accurate SSI reporting. From wound classification to the very specific language...
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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...
info_outlineWhen something doesn't look right in the OR, do you have the confidence to speak up? In this episode of “Silo-Free Surgery,” Garrett Hollembeak sits down with certified surgical technologist, educator, and infection preventionist Julia Jackson to talk about the role surgical conscience plays in protecting patients and preventing surgical site infections. From protecting the sterile field to slowing down for a meaningful timeout and questioning something that doesn’t look right, Julia shares why doing the right thing in the moment matters, even when it isn't always easy. If you've ever hesitated to speak up in the OR, this episode is a powerful reminder of why your voice matters.
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