Survey Central: Meeting Accreditation Standards in the OR & SPD
Release Date: 10/06/2025
On Pathogens & PPE: Endoscope Reprocessing Challenges
Transmission Control
Ask any #CleanFreak, and they’ll tell you—endoscope reprocessing is one of the most complex processes in Sterile Processing. So how are you setting your team up for success? In this episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Kevin Anderson are joined by Jennifer Leitner, Dyan Darga, and Emiley Body to take a closer look at the real challenges impacting endoscope reprocessing. Together, they explore the impact of staffing pressures, evolving standards, and the growing complexity of reprocessing workflows. Tune in to learn how improved training, stronger...
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Sticking with It: Biofilm, Surface Disinfection, and C. Auris Adhesion
Transmission Control
What if the surfaces you think are clean are actually hosting resilient biofilms that standard disinfection can't fully eliminate? In this episode of Transmission Control, Garrett sits down with Jon Otter to explore the hidden world of dry surface biofilm, pathogen adherence, and what that means for your disinfection program. From VRE surviving for years on dry surfaces to Candida auris behaving more like barnacles than yeast, Jon explains why "clean" doesn't always mean safe and challenges assumptions about contact time, coverage, and whether suspension test data reflects real-world...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Environmental Emergencies in SPD
Transmission Control
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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Check 1, Check 2: The Power of Proactive ICARs
Transmission Control
What if a visit from your state's infection prevention team wasn't something to fear, but your strongest prevention tool? In this episode of Transmission Control, Garrett and Jill sit down with Cheri Fast, State HAI Coordinator, to reframe Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) visits as proactive partnerships instead of punitive checklists. From walking facilities and using real-time photos to strengthen EVS practices, to closing gaps in hand hygiene, respiratory equipment, and policy adherence, Cheri explains how proactive ICARs catch risks before they become outbreaks. She’ll...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Why Water Quality Matters
Transmission Control
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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Built to Heal? Infrastructure, Construction, and Water Safety
Transmission Control
What if the next infection risk was built into your walls before the first patient ever arrived? In this episode of Transmission Control, we sit down with Alyson Prince-Byrne, an experienced Built Environment Infection Control Specialist, to explore how infrastructure decisions shape patient safety long before occupancy. From water stagnation and dead legs to ventilation design and commissioning gaps, Alyson explains why "meeting code" doesn't always mean designing for safety. She connects construction missteps to real-world outcomes like Legionella, Pseudomonas, and NTM—infections that...
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On Pathogens & PPE: The Challenge of Robotic Instrument Reprocessing
Transmission Control
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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Built to Heal: The Nitty Gritty Cleaning Committee: The Fine Points of EVS Excellence
Transmission Control
Patient safety starts with a clean environment—but how often do gray areas in cleaning responsibilities create confusion between Infection Prevention and Environmental Services? In this Season 4 premiere of Transmission Control, hosts Garrett Hollembeak and Trey Morrow sit down with Mike Epperson, Area Vice President at HHS, to explore one of healthcare's most critical partnerships: IP and EVS. From IV pumps and bedside commodes to isolation signage and EVS cart setup, they tackle the gaps that emerge when cleaning responsibilities aren't clearly defined and documented. Mike shares how IPs...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Hand Hygiene in SPD
Transmission Control
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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On Pathogens & PPE: Transporting Contaminated Instruments
Transmission Control
From 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...
info_outlineThe OR can feel intimidating for IPs, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, hosts Garrett Hollembeak and Jill Holdsworth sit down with Maureen Spencer and Peter Graves to demystify survey readiness where it matters most: behind the red line. They unpack the most common citation magnets like surgical attire, hand hygiene, medication safety, and point-of-use treatment to show how you can replace “we’ve always done it this way” with data, relationships, and practical fixes. You’ll learn how to build comfort in the OR, recruit champions, use tracer methodology, and turn small, consistent actions into safer patients and stronger survey outcomes. If you’re ready to trade clipboard anxiety for continuous readiness, this one’s your playbook.
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