Ask the Educator

Instructions for use (IFUs) can range from too simple to too cumbersome. But they can also be your key to higher quality in sterile processing. Check out this episode featuring CPD Guy, Stephen Kovach and his thoughts on IFUs.

Guy Phipps, Co-Creator at SterileBits talks about the latest innovation in instrument protection that will solve many of the current industry problems from the sterile processing department to the end-user in the procedural areas.

The newest addition to the Healthmark Clinical Affairs team, Adam Okada shares how education played a critical role in driving quality in his sterile processing department.

Our Healthmark Education Specialists visit a lot of SP Departments around the United States. When we ask staff to explain the sterilizer load printout, we often get mixed answers. Malinda Elammari helps address what we should be looking for on the sterilizer printout.

In this episode, Stephen Kovach and host Kevin Anderson discuss care and handling of reusable brushes in SPD. Too often we see inadequate brush inventory, incorrect brushes for the job, or brushes that look like they've been put through a coffee grinder. Get rid of those gnarly brushes! Take care of your brushes and they will take care of your surgical instruments!

Have you practiced the art of storytelling to lead your SPD to the greatness? You should be! Listen to this interview with Beyond Clean founder and President, Hank Balch, to find out why and how to lead with storytelling.

In this episode, host Kevin Anderson interviews Jim VanPietersom of Fairbanks Memorial Hospital in Alaska. Jim, an IAHCSMM Leadership Award winner shares a lot of great information about how he and his team have built a high performing SPD. If you have aspirations to be a leader in SPD, don't miss this episode!

In this episode, John Whelan shares valuable information about how surveyors look at endoscopy as well as many of the common pitfalls that lead to findings by surveyors.

In this episode, Stephen Kovach talks about a simple quality management tool that can be used to proactively increase quality and safety before it reaches the patient, the tray quality audit!

As SP departments continue to process instruments from other internal and external facilities, the transportation of reusable medical devices becomes even more important. There are federal regulations and other things to consider when transporting instruments between facilities and departments. In this episode, Seth Hendee shares some tips to help you get ready for your next survey inspection of transporting medical devices.