Ask the Educator

With infections linked to flexible endoscope reprocessing making headlines, many departments are turning to disposable scopes to reduce the risk. In this episode, we talk with Jill Berends (Ambu) about the latest studies on disposable scopes, their impact on patient outcomes, and the steps Ambu is taking to address environmental concerns.

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2024 saw the release of AAMI TIR99 for the reprocessing of probes & dilators.  But many facilities are not aware of this new document and the recommendations that can help your department make informed decisions on these complex devices.  As the co-chair for the AAMI working group that wrote this document, Garland-Rhea Grisby is uniquely qualified to introduce us to the wonderful world of TIR99! 

Every reprocessing professional that has worked with flexible endoscopes knows one irrefutable fact...Flexible endoscopes are complex devices that are difficult to clean. In this episode, we speak with Harry Oussoren to discuss the importance of tools like borescopes to enhance visual inspection, the benefits of cleaning verification testing and microbial surveillance, and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize our decision-making process. 

In the busy world of instrument reprocessing, we may overlook important details, such as keeping instruments in the open position for cleaning and sterilization. In this episode, Clinical Educator Emeritus, Stephen Kovach explains the importance of this practice, shares ways to improve it, and provides useful tools and resources. 

Don’t forget to watch Stephen’s past Healthmark CE webinar, “Open Wide: Why You Need to Keep Your Instruments Open” on our website.  

Learning a second language is challenging enough on its own but imagine doing that while also mastering the jargon and science of sterile processing. This is the reality for thousands of sterile processing technicians across the industry! In this episode, we speak with Angie Holland, a bilingual Spanish speaker who is dedicated to creating more resources and educational translations for this often-overlooked sterile processing community. 

Do you want to be a traveling sterile processing leader or even a permanent manager of your own department?  Then this episode is for you!  Leadership in sterile processing is an increasingly difficult job, but now imagine that you only have 3 months to fix a department.  Where do you start?  In this episode, we speak with Tiffany Dailey, a traveling sterile processing leader to discuss the challenges and joys of being a traveling leader, and what we can do to leave a positive and lasting impact on a department. 

Starting a new HSPA chapter in your area can seem daunting. How do you create a non-profit, open a bank account, or write bylaws? Leslie Kronstedt from the Western Wisconsin Sterile Processing Professionals chapter has the answers! In this episode of the Ask the Educator podcast, Leslie shares her journey in the industry, how she became a leader of her local chapter, and the valuable resources she offers to help new chapters get started. Tune in for expert guidance and inspiration! 

In this episode, we dive into the essential training of sterile processing technicians, focusing on the vital skill of documentation and record-keeping. Join us as we speak with Andy Mikos, from Getinge, to better understand sterilization systems thoroughly. Discover why mastering these systems is key to ensuring accurate and reliable documentation and learn the importance of knowing exactly what you are signing your name to. Tune in for expert insights and practical tips on elevating your sterile processing practices. 

Adam Okada speaks with Charlie Webb about the Sterile Aware Awards for sterile processing and device packaging. Do you know a superstar tech, supervisor, or manager that deserves recognition? Tune in to learn how you can nominate a deserving industry professional for a Sterile Aware Award!

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In this episode of the Ask the Educator Podcast, we delve into the transformative advancements in sterile processing technology over the past two decades, with a particular focus on borescopes. These remarkable tools allow us to inspect inaccessible areas within medical devices. Yet, despite their availability, their usage remains limited.

Join us as we sit down with Cheron Rojo to recap his insightful January Webinar on borescopes and optical inspection, and learn how to better interpret the images these tools provide.