ConCensis

Hospitals are facing mounting pressure from staff shortages, rising costs, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements. Surgical suites and sterile processing departments (SPDs) are two of the most resource-intensive areas, yet many still rely on manual processes and fragmented data. According to the American Hospital Association, nearly 1,400 hospitals, or 31% of hospitals, reported a critical staffing shortage to the federal government as of January 19, 2022, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions. In response, AI in surgery is gaining traction as a practical tool to augment clinical teams and streamline perioperative workflows without compromising patient safety.

How can hospitals use AI to increase surgical efficiency, meet compliance standards, and improve patient outcomes without overwhelming already-burdened staff?

This episode of ConCensis by Censis Technologies, hosted by Amy Chadoff, features Harshil Goradia, Chief Technology Officer and VP of IT at Censis. Together, they explore how AI in surgery is transforming sterile processing and operating rooms, highlighting real-world examples from hospital networks and unpacking how AI is shifting from pilot phase to enterprise necessity.

Key Highlights:

• AI Drives Throughput Without Adding Burden: At St. Luke’s Health Network, AI tools helped increase sterilization throughput by 20%, processing 5,000 more trays a month with the same staff.

• Agentic AI Enables Real-Time Action: Emerging agentic AI can autonomously adjust surgical schedules, flag shortages, and optimize workflows, offering actionable insights instead of just analytics.

• Compliance and Safety at Scale: AI supports SPD technicians by cross-referencing IFUs in real time, identifying assembly errors, and improving standardization across facilities.

Harshil Goradia is the Chief Technology Officer and VP of IT at Censis Technologies, where he leads R&D, AI innovation, and IT strategy. Prior to Censis, he served in the AI Center of Excellence at Fortive and spearheaded digital transformation initiatives in manufacturing and healthcare. His background spans predictive analytics, generative AI, and large-scale system integration, making him a thought leader in operationalizing AI across healthcare environments.

In today’s healthcare environments, the demand for precise tracking, accountability, and quality control in sterile processing departments has never been higher. As hospitals face increasing pressure to optimize workflows and ensure surgical instruments are accounted for, technology like CensisTrac is playing a pivotal role. By enabling real-time visibility and documentation, systems like these help transform how departments respond to issues and prove compliance with ever-stringent standards. The true power lies not only in the data captured but in how teams can use that data to self-correct, train, and continuously improve operations. Features such as quality feedback allow frontline staff to easily log defects, attach photos, and trigger follow-up actions—turning routine tracking into a proactive quality assurance strategy. This kind of integration doesn’t just enhance processes; it empowers people. To see how this vision comes to life, meet Amber VanRooyen, System Manager of Instrument Tracking Systems at MHealth Fairview in Minneapolis, and hear how her team uses CensisTrac to elevate performance and accountability.

In today’s fast-paced surgical environments, sterile processing departments (SPD) face rising pressure to deliver accuracy, speed, and accountability. Technology is no longer optional—it’s a necessity to meet these standards while supporting technician efficiency. With the complexity of instrumentation, especially in cases like ENT trays, traditional manual tracking can slow processes and leave room for errors. Solutions like CensiTrac are transforming this space by enabling visual and data-driven guidance that streamlines tray assembly and documentation. By integrating photo-based verification and robust reporting tools, SPDs can now reduce assembly time, improve traceability, and foster fair evaluations among staff. The result isn’t just faster processing—it’s stronger team morale and better alignment on performance. To understand how these gains are playing out on the ground, meet Alex Yanez, SPD Manager at Texas Health Flower Mound, as he shares firsthand how CensiTrac is changing the game.

In today’s fast-paced surgical environments, sterile processing departments (SPD) face rising pressure to deliver accuracy, speed, and accountability. Technology is no longer optional—it’s a necessity to meet these standards while supporting technician efficiency. With the complexity of instrumentation, especially in cases like ENT trays, traditional manual tracking can slow processes and leave room for errors. Solutions like CensiTrac are transforming this space by enabling visual and data-driven guidance that streamlines tray assembly and documentation. By integrating photo-based verification and robust reporting tools, SPDs can now reduce assembly time, improve traceability, and foster fair evaluations among staff. The result isn’t just faster processing—it’s stronger team morale and better alignment on performance. To understand how these gains are playing out on the ground, meet Alex Yanez, SPD Manager at Texas Health Flower Mound, as he shares firsthand how CensiTrac is changing the game.

In today's healthcare environment, every minute and every detail matters—especially in sterile processing, where equipment readiness can be a matter of life and death. The evolution of sterilization technologies like Sterad has allowed hospitals and VA centers to move beyond outdated processes that once delayed surgeries and compromised patient care. High-level disinfection alone no longer cuts it when rapid, reliable sterilization is possible—and safer. For frontline teams, the ability to quickly turn over instruments without compromising on biological integrity or technician safety marks a true operational breakthrough. Sterad systems not only eliminate lengthy cooldown times but also deliver satisfaction across the board—from patients to surgeons to sterile processing teams. And with proactive, responsive service partners like Scott Johnson, even equipment maintenance becomes a non-issue. At the center of this experience is Annetta McKnight, Sterile Processing Service Chief at Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, GA, who shares firsthand why dependable sterilization is foundational to modern healthcare.

In today’s high-demand surgical environments, every second counts—especially in sterile processing. As healthcare systems push to improve patient outcomes and operating room efficiency, innovations in low temperature sterilization are becoming critical. Technologies like Velocity, with its seven-second readout capability, are drastically reducing instrument turnaround times, allowing OR teams to respond faster and with greater confidence. This is particularly impactful for delicate and essential tools like robotic and laparoscopic cameras, which can now be sterilized more quickly without compromising safety. The key isn’t just speed, however; it’s also rigorous inspection—from borescopes to visual aids to proper lubrication—to ensure instruments are fully functional before use. Effective SPD leadership bridges the gap between instrument prep and surgical success, and it all begins in the decontamination process. For an on-the-ground perspective on how these improvements are reshaping workflows and enhancing patient care, meet Ayesha Doggett, Manager at Cone Health in Greensboro, North Carolina.

In today’s high-demand surgical environments, every second counts—especially in sterile processing. As healthcare systems push to improve patient outcomes and operating room efficiency, innovations in low temperature sterilization are becoming critical. Technologies like Velocity, with its seven-second readout capability, are drastically reducing instrument turnaround times, allowing OR teams to respond faster and with greater confidence. This is particularly impactful for delicate and essential tools like robotic and laparoscopic cameras, which can now be sterilized more quickly without compromising safety. The key isn’t just speed, however; it’s also rigorous inspection—from borescopes to visual aids to proper lubrication—to ensure instruments are fully functional before use. Effective SPD leadership bridges the gap between instrument prep and surgical success, and it all begins in the decontamination process. For an on-the-ground perspective on how these improvements are reshaping workflows and enhancing patient care, meet Ayesha Doggett, Manager at Cone Health in Greensboro, North Carolina.

In today's healthcare environment, every minute and every detail matters—especially in sterile processing, where equipment readiness can be a matter of life and death. The evolution of sterilization technologies like Sterad has allowed hospitals and VA centers to move beyond outdated processes that once delayed surgeries and compromised patient care. High-level disinfection alone no longer cuts it when rapid, reliable sterilization is possible—and safer. For frontline teams, the ability to quickly turn over instruments without compromising on biological integrity or technician safety marks a true operational breakthrough. Sterad systems not only eliminate lengthy cooldown times but also deliver satisfaction across the board—from patients to surgeons to sterile processing teams. And with proactive, responsive service partners like Scott Johnson, even equipment maintenance becomes a non-issue. At the center of this experience is Annetta McKnight, Sterile Processing Service Chief at Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, GA, who shares firsthand why dependable sterilization is foundational to modern healthcare.

In healthcare environments where precision and accountability are paramount, sterile processing departments (SPDs) play a critical behind-the-scenes role. As hospitals worldwide embrace technology to close compliance gaps and improve operational transparency, the introduction of patient-centric tracking tools marks a major leap forward. Tying surgical instruments directly to patient records not only strengthens traceability—it reinforces trust in the system. At military and international medical facilities, where logistics are often more complex, having a robust tracking platform becomes essential. Modules tailored to specific needs, like patient tracking or loaner equipment, offer SPDs better oversight and support compliance with evolving standards. But the challenges don't end there—supply chain disruptions still pose a major hurdle, one that demands continued innovation and adaptability. To hear more about how this evolution plays out on the ground, meet Andrew Tony Green, Sterile Processing Manager at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and a frontline voice in the global SPD transformation.

In today’s healthcare environments, the demand for precise tracking, accountability, and quality control in sterile processing departments has never been higher. As hospitals face increasing pressure to optimize workflows and ensure surgical instruments are accounted for, technology like CensisTrac is playing a pivotal role. By enabling real-time visibility and documentation, systems like these help transform how departments respond to issues and prove compliance with ever-stringent standards. The true power lies not only in the data captured but in how teams can use that data to self-correct, train, and continuously improve operations. Features such as quality feedback allow frontline staff to easily log defects, attach photos, and trigger follow-up actions—turning routine tracking into a proactive quality assurance strategy. This kind of integration doesn’t just enhance processes; it empowers people. To see how this vision comes to life, meet Amber VanRooyen, System Manager of Instrument Tracking Systems at MHealth Fairview in Minneapolis, and hear how her team uses CensisTrac to elevate performance and accountability.