Every #CleanFreak has seen them at least once—those mysterious black specks appearing in surgical trays with no clear explanation. But are they just a nuisance… or a warning sign of something bigger? In Episode 1 of our brand-new podcast series "What the Speck?," host Bobby Parker welcomes Alex Miseirvitch, Senior Product Manager for Rigid Sterile Containers at Aesculap®, to explore the mystery—and real challenges—behind unidentified debris in sterile trays. From potential patient safety risks to the operational strain of tray contamination and case delays, these tiny particles can create ripple effects across the entire surgical workflow. If your team has ever asked, "What is this—and where did it come from?" this episode is the perfect place to start!

Over the next 6 weeks, this series dives into one of Sterile Processing's most frustrating challenges—black specks. From water and steam quality to department culture, risk assessments, and root cause analysis, we're digging into every angle to uncover real answers (and real solutions).

A special thanks to our sponsor, Aesculap®, for supporting this podcast series!

#BeyondClean #Aesculap #SterileProcessing #WhatTheSpeck #BlackSpecks #SurgicalTrays #Podcast

*Disclaimer: The views provided by hosts and guests on this series do not represent any employer, company, or third party, and are solely that of the individuals themselves.

Stacks of vendor trays arriving without warning, stat turnaround instruments soaking in the sink, and techs scrolling through 100+ documents to find the right IFU… welcome to decontam! In this episode of "On Pathogens & PPE," host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Michael Matthews are joined by Trevor Hazen, Jake McHugh, and Katie Belski to take a closer look at what's happening in today's decontamination workflows. From conflicting IFUs and training gaps to communication breakdowns between SPD and the OR, this crew breaks down what's impacting your process and how your team can improve it. Tune in today #CleanFreaks, because what happens in decontam doesn't stay in decontam, it impacts every step that follows.

Over the next 12 weeks, Jill and special guests from across the industry will team up to share actionable strategies for fighting pathogens while building stronger partnerships between Sterile Processing and Infection Prevention teams. Whether you're in SPD, IP, or both—this series is designed to empower you and your team with the knowledge and tools that make a real difference!

New episodes of On Pathogens & PPE will release each Tuesday on all Beyond Clean & Transmission Control channels. A special thanks to our Year 2 sponsor, Healthmark, A Getinge Company, for making this series possible.

#BeyondClean #TransmissionControl #Healthmark #Getinge #OnPathogensAndPPE #SterileProcessing #InfectionPrevention #Podcast

*Disclaimer: The views provided by hosts and guests on this series do not represent any employer, company, or third party, and are solely that of the individuals themselves.

Season 32 launches on April 6th. In the meantime, enjoy this rewind episode from season 20 of Beyond Clean!

Let's get down to business! What would it look like if the person responsible for purchasing your PPE knew firsthand how vital these supplies are to protecting Sterile Processing staff?

Season 20 of the Beyond Clean podcast, "Armed & (Compliantly) Dangerous," is all about personal protective equipment (PPE), and in this episode, Matthew Frederick, Perioperative Business Manager AND Sterile Processing Manager in Kentucky walks us behind the scenes of purchasing PPE. In a post-pandemic world, supply chain is at the center of an ever-changing landscape, and getting the right price for the right equipment is Matthew's area of expertise. Using data, knowledge of the business side of healthcare, and frontline sterile processing experience, his organization is able to do right by both technicians, and the budget.

So "come on down" as this week we dive into Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs), backorders, and the delicate balancing act for facilities between quality and making sure "The Price is Right." In a world that tries to stretch a dollar out of fifteen cents this is an episode that pulls back the business curtain and may even shine a spotlight on new career options for sterile processing team members.

After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode20-07

Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access 350+ FREE CE credits and #KeepFightingDirty!

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 collaboration, and a shift in culture can help your team #FightDirty with confidence!

Over the next 12 weeks, Jill and special guests from across the industry will team up to share actionable strategies for fighting pathogens while building stronger partnerships between Sterile Processing and Infection Prevention teams. Whether you're in SPD, IP, or both—this series is designed to empower you and your team with the knowledge and tools that make a real difference!

New episodes of On Pathogens & PPE will release each Tuesday on all Beyond Clean & Transmission Control channels. A special thanks to our Year 2 sponsor, Healthmark, A Getinge Company, for making this series possible.

#BeyondClean #TransmissionControl #Healthmark #Getinge #OnPathogensAndPPE #SterileProcessing #InfectionPrevention #Podcast

*Disclaimer: The views provided by hosts and guests on this series do not represent any employer, company, or third party, and are solely that of the individuals themselves.

Season 32 launches on April 6th. In the meantime, enjoy this rewind episode from season 20 of Beyond Clean! The gauntlet has officially been thrown down! In the hands-on field of Sterile Processing, it's gloves on for the fight against pathogens, punctures, and potential safety hazards. Season 20 of the Beyond Clean podcast, "Armed & (Compliantly) Dangerous," is all about personal protective equipment (PPE), and in this episode Randalyn Walters, Clinical Education Manager for Belimed, steps in the ring to lay out what you need to know about gloves. Join us as we take on both sides of one of the most hotly debated topics in Sterile Processing and outline the OSHA guidelines for keeping you and your team safe. Randalyn shares her experience as both a Sterile Processing leader and a frontline technician in addressing skin irritation from gloves, proper donning and doffing practices, and dealing with the dreaded waterlogged gloves. It's a can't-miss episode on this season of Beyond Clean.

After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode20-05

Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access 350+ FREE CE credits and #KeepFightingDirty!

Struggling with instrument shortages, case delays, and constant turnover pressure? What if one change could help you do more with what you already have? On this week's Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™, Kristina Ketchum of Ketchum Konsulting shares how ONE TRAY®/IST is helping facilities streamline workflows, reduce waste, and keep cases moving without costly slowdowns. Kristina went from "ONE TRAY? No, Kick Rocks!" to purchasing 360 trays. Hear more of her story and how, in her consulting career, departments are increasing case volume, reducing delays, and improving both patient and surgeon satisfaction along the way. What could a new approach to tray management mean for your SPD? Let's break it down!

For additional information, contact ONE TRAY®/IST at [email protected] or call them at 937-619-0138. To connect with Kristina and learn more about her consulting services, visit https://www.efficient-transformation.com or call 540-760-4816.

Don't forget to follow the ONE TRAY® IFU for use and stay connected on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates!

Condoc 767/715

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 strikes!

Over the next 12 weeks, Jill and special guests from across the industry will team up to share actionable strategies for fighting pathogens while building stronger partnerships between Sterile Processing and Infection Prevention teams. Whether you're in SPD, IP, or both—this series is designed to empower you and your team with the knowledge and tools that make a real difference!

New episodes of On Pathogens & PPE will release each Tuesday on all Beyond Clean & Transmission Control channels. A special thanks to our Year 2 sponsor, Healthmark, A Getinge Company, for making this series possible.

#BeyondClean #TransmissionControl #Healthmark #Getinge #OnPathogensAndPPE #SterileProcessing #InfectionPrevention #Podcast

*Disclaimer: The views provided by hosts and guests on this series do not represent any employer, company, or third party, and are solely that of the individuals themselves.

Season 32 launches on April 6th. In the meantime, enjoy this rewind episode from season 20 of Beyond Clean!

Whether they are OR green, bio-burgundy, or powder blue, scrubs in any color are the first line of defense in your sterile processing PPE. But what are the best practices when it comes to the base layer of protection?

Season 20 of the Beyond Clean podcast, "Armed & (Compliantly) Dangerous," is all about personal protective equipment (PPE) and in this episode Afif Escheik, Regional Director of Operations at Crothall Healthcare lays out the guidance to keep you, your central sterile team, and even your vendors covered.

When it comes to scrubs, answers can be harder to find than a XXL top at the bottom of the pile. Should you wear the scrubs that were just in decontamination into the cafeteria? What are the risks of taking scrubs home with you? And what is the best way to make sure the size you get, will actually fit?

We cover these questions and more as we get into the studies performed around scrub safety. If your team is building policies and practices related this important piece of PPE, this is the episode for you.

After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode20-04

Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access 350+ FREE CE credits and #KeepFightingDirty!

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 management team can help your facility stay ahead of potential problems. Because when it comes to keeping instruments clean and patients safe, water quality matters more than you think!

Over the next 12 weeks, Jill and special guests from across the industry will team up to share actionable strategies for fighting pathogens while building stronger partnerships between Sterile Processing and Infection Prevention teams. Whether you're in SPD, IP, or both—this series is designed to empower you and your team with the knowledge and tools that make a real difference!

New episodes of On Pathogens & PPE will release each Tuesday on all Beyond Clean & Transmission Control channels. A special thanks to our Year 2 sponsor, Healthmark, A Getinge Company, for making this series possible.

#BeyondClean #TransmissionControl #Healthmark #Getinge #OnPathogensAndPPE #SterileProcessing #InfectionPrevention #Podcast

*Disclaimer: The views provided by hosts and guests on this series do not represent any employer, company, or third party, and are solely that of the individuals themselves

Season 32 launches on April 6th. In the meantime, enjoy this rewind episode from season 20 of Beyond Clean!

When you're working in sterile processing, PPE gowns are more than a fashion statement. Are you dressed to the nines? Is your protective equipment in a class of their own? And most importantly, do your gowns match your shoe covers?

Season 20 of the Beyond Clean podcast, "Armed & (Compliantly) Dangerous," is all about personal protective equipment (PPE) and in this episode we discuss how the fit and function of decontamination gowns can be a significant factor in keeping you safe. Keicha Brock is the CEO of Eyes to See Management and Consulting and brings her by-the-book and hands on expertise to this conversation.

Keicha gives us a run down on the finer points of gowns, and helps us understand their class, level, and critical zones of protection. Whether you are in SPD leadership, or working as a frontline technician, knowing more about the barrier between you and bacteria will help make sure you are dressed for the occasion.

After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode20-02

Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access 350+ FREE CE credits and #KeepFightingDirty!