Beyond Clean Podcast
Episodes
Storage After Dark: Insights from the SPD Night Shift
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The hallways are quite(r). The phone calls are few(er). But the time is also short(er) to get everything in and out of sterile storage for those crit...
Vendors and Hospitals: Time for a Fresh Start | Expert Series On-The-Go
06 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Vendors and Hospitals: Time for a Fresh St...
Clean You Can Count On: Applied Science in Everyday Surgical Instrument Cleaning
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to safe surgical devices, if you are not certain it's clean, it doesn't matter what you do next, and your surgical patients could be at...
Right Where We Left It...Right?: Storage Organization for the Win
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You won't last very long in the Sterile Processing industry if you're not a "clean freak," but do you have to be a "neat freak" too? How important is...
Ditch the Pipe Cleaners in the Decontamination Department | Expert Series On-The-Go
30 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Ditch the Pipe Cleaners in the Decontamina...
Storage Solutions on the Move: Bringing the Family-Owned Feel to Hospitals Nationwide
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Occasionally, you interact with a family-owned business with a dream to carry their product solutions from a regional level to a national level. On th...
Center of Sterile Storage Excellence: Regulatory Compliance & SPD Storage
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps the Number ONE driving force for sterile storage upgrades in Sterile Processing departments is the issue of regulatory compliance. But just c...
Respect Your Water | Expert Series On-The-Go
23 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Respect Your Water." To hear more from thi...
Customized By Design: Exploring the Intersection of Safety and Efficiency in Sterile Storage
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to adding space, a hospital has two options: move to a new building and renovate, which can completely disrupt staff operation, or use t...
From Here to There: How OR Liaisons Take Sterile Storage to the Next Level
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Who checks your case carts before the OR opens them for first cases? Who responds to the room when a surgeon needs to speak with someone "ASAP!" Who ...
What Are The Different Phases Of A Sterilization Cycle? | Expert Series On-The-Go
16 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "What Are The Different Phases Of A Sterili...
Sustainable Storage: Customized Solutions Designed with You In Mind
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to sterile storage, disorganization can cost a lot of money in inefficiencies and case delays, especially when critical trays are hard t...
Storage in Transition: Getting what you Need for your SPD
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There's no such thing as a static Sterile Storage area. Instruments are constantly moving in and moving out of the space. But that's not the only kind...
Daily Practice With Manual Cleaning Tools | Expert Series On-The-Go
09 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Daily Practice With Manual Cleaning Tools"...
Designed to Kill: Keeping Safety at the Forefront of Peracetic Acid Use in Healthcare
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What do flexible endoscopes and poultry have in common? I think many would be surprised to learn that the chemical used to make these two very differe...
Sterile Storage: An Overview (Sterile Storage Wars)
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How would you describe Sterile Storage to someone fresh off the street? What are those core fundamentals that every Sterile Processing technician, ven...
Millions Of Bubbles | Expert Series On-The-Go
02 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Millions Of Bubbles". To hear more from th...
The Myths and Science of Detergent Performance | Expert Series On-The-Go
25 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "The Myths and Science of Detergent Perform...
Thank You, Errors: Connecting the Dots on Surgical Instrument Reprocessing Challenges
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Beyond Clean Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch talks about the lessons we can be learn from the mistakes we make, instead of trying to...
Is the Annual PM Performed by my Sterilizer Technician, the Same as a Validation? | Expert Series On-The-Go
18 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Is the Annual PM Performed by my Sterilize...
Expiration Notice: Exploring the difference between event-related and time-related sterility
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Event-related and time-related sterility are hot topics in healthcare settings, and rightfully so! These two concepts have different meanings along wi...
How Long Should You Have to Work in an Industry Before You Can Express an Opinion About It?
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Articles-On-The-Go, Hank Balch talks about his personal experience with whether or not time served merits someones opinions about t...
Brush Styles: Why Have Them and What Do They Do? | Expert Series On-The-Go
11 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Brush Styles: Why Have Them and What Do Th...
You Should Be Using This Time to Bank Content: A Sterile Processing Contingency Plan
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Articles-On-The-Go, Hank Balch talks about how creating and saving content could be a valuable way to spend time during the pandemi...
Ultrasonic Checklist | Expert Series On-The-Go
04 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Ultrasonic Checklist". To hear more from t...
What Hath Coronavirus to do with Social Media?
02 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Articles-On-The-Go, Hank Balch looks what lessons can be learned from the the recent pandemic about how we can engage with our cust...
Can My Detergent Kill Germs? | Expert Series On-The-Go
28 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Can My Detergent Kill Germs?". To hear mor...
Double-Stacking In Your Washers Could Kill Someone: No More Excuses
26 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Articles-On-The-Go, Hank Balch looks at the practice of double-stacking trays inside the automated washer and dangers associated wi...
Ready, Set, Lead: Managing Leadership Transitions on your Sterile Processing Team
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Managers come, managers go. Does your Sterile Processing team maintain your momentum through these leadership transitions, or are you left reeling w...
Can I Validate Just One of My Autoclaves? | Expert Series On-The-Go
21 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Can I Validate Just One of My Autoclaves?"...
Are Bigger Hospitals Safer? Not When it Comes to Surgical Instrument Reprocessing
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are bigger hospitals safer than smaller hospitals when it comes to surgical instrument reprocessing? The answer may surprise you... On this episode ...
Know Thy Product: Why Vendor Education is Critical for SPD Best Practice
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You would assume if someone called you or showed up at your department door with a product for you to buy, they'd have a good idea about what Sterile...
The Blame Game | Expert Series On-The-Go
14 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "The Blame Game" To hear more from this exp...
If We Don't Recall Washer Loads, Do We Really Care About "Clean"?
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Articles-On-The-Go, Hank Balch examines the strange practice of failed washer tests, and our response to them. Why aren't we reca...
Special Treatment: The Machines that Make Our Sterile Processing Water...Usable
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably heard terms like "critical water" and "reverse osmosis" thrown around in inservices and certification textbooks in your Sterile Proce...
Keys to Ultrasonic Success | Expert Series On-The-Go
07 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Keys to Ultrasonic Success" To hear more f...
Terminal Velocity: How Science and Speed are Changing the Industry One Biological Indicator at a Time
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How often do you get the chance to go behind the scenes with the people who are developing products that drive technology and the ability to meet the ...
People Actually DO Leave Jobs: Stop (only) Blaming Toxic Cultures and Bad Bosses
05 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Articles-On-The-Go, Hank Balch shares some other important reasons that people might leave their current positions, besides toxic c...
A Perfect Pass: Clarifying the Confusing World of PCD Documentation in Sterile Processing
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most common "gotcha moments" for accreditation surveyors happens when they open up your department documentation around process challenge...
Chemical Hide & Seek in SPD | Expert Series On-The-Go
31 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Chemical Hide & Seek in SPD" To hear more ...
The White Lies of White Papers: Why They Don't Do What You Think They Do
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Articles-On-The-Go, Hank Balch looks at white papers in Sterile Processing and whether they are accomplishing what they set out to ...
Where'd Everyone Go: Demographic Drought and the Future of SPD
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is the Sterile Processing industry actually running out of people? On this episode 4 of Beyond Clean season 13, we sit down with labor statistician ...
Steam Purity vs. Steam Quality | Expert Series On-The-Go
24 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Steam Purity vs. Steam Quality." To hear m...
Way Back When: Snapshot of the 1980's in UK Sterile Services
19 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What do Michael Jackson, the Elephant Man, and instrument reprocessing have in common? Curiously more than you might think. On this episode 3 of B...
Sterile Processing & COVID-19 | Expert Series On-The-Go
17 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Sterile Processing & COVID-19". To hear mo...
The Great Pity of the Sterile Processing Pizza Party: Recognition Drowned in Marinara Sauce
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like the "pizza party" is the bare minimum the hospital can do to make you feel appreciated? You're not alone. In this episode of Articles...
Spent? The Over / Under of Surgical Instrument Budgets
12 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you're going to blow your instrument budget...go big and get data. On this episode 2 of Beyond Clean season 13, we sit down with David Kelman, P....
What is Ultrasonic Cavitation? | Expert Series On-The-Go
10 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "What is Ultrasonic Cavitation?" To hear mo...
Breathe Easy: Reusable Laryngoscope Systems Designed with Safety and Sustainability in Mind
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In healthcare, small changes in regulations and disruptions in supply chain can have a ripple effect on an industry. On this Beyond Clean Vendor Spot...
The Secret of Staff Satisfaction: Happy High Performers & Award-Winning Departments
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, we want our Sterile Processing teams to be productive. Of course we want them to be quality focused. But shouldn't we also want them to be...ha...
On Low Standards and Lawsuits: An Argument For Infection Control in the Clinic Setting
01 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What potential harm could there be in a visit to your local clinic? More than you might think... In this episode of Articles-On-The-Go, Hank Balch e...
Making the Sterile Processing Net-Work: A Conversation with the Beyond Clean Team
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special release episode of the Beyond Clean podcast features a recent Expert Series conference session with our Beyond Clean team members, Han...
3,778 Reasons the New Jersey Sterilization Outbreak Matters to You
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Articles-On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses why you should care about one of the most recent hospitals to make national headlines for ...
Shoulders, Knees, & Trays: A Conversation with a Vendor Management Expert
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special release episode of the Beyond Clean podcast features a recent Expert Series conference session with our Vendor Management Expert Jeff W...
Chemical Warfare: A Conversation with an Enzymatic Expert
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special release episode of the Beyond Clean podcast features a recent Expert Series conference session with our Enzymatic Expert Peggy Spitzer,...
Do the Twist: A Conversation with a Manual Cleaning Expert
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special release episode of the Beyond Clean podcast features a recent Expert Series conference session with our Manual Cleaning Expert Jamie Za...
Arriving at Terminal G: A Conversation with a Gas Sterilization Expert
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special release episode of the Beyond Clean podcast features a recent Expert Series conference session with our Gas Sterilization Expert Ted Ma...
Not a Pipe Dream: A Conversation with a Steam Sterilization Expert
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special release episode of the Beyond Clean podcast features a recent Expert Series conference session with our Steam Sterilization Expert Joel ...
Water, Water, Everywhere: A Conversation with a Water Quality Expert
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This special release episode of the Beyond Clean podcast features a recent Expert Series conference session with our Water Quality Expert Jonathan Wil...
Yearning to Learn: Do Students Have a Place In Sterile Processing Departments?
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are students a help or a hindrance in our Sterile Processing departments? What makes a good Sterile Processing school and how do we ensure we're maki...
When Technology Makes People Talk - What Uber Can Teach the Sterile Processing Industry
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What can Uber teach the Sterile Processing Industry? You might be surprised... On this Article-On-The-Go, Hank looks at the connections that we make...
Infection Rate Zero: How One Team in Idaho Made it Happen
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When the team at Minidoka Memorial Hospital in Rupert, Idaho first set their eyes on collaborating with their Sterile Processing team to reach a br...
Interim Leadership 101: Short-Term Strategy, Long-Term Growth
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is a Sterile Processing "Interim Leader," how do you become one, and what experiences can you expect to encounter out in the field? On this Be...
All Wrapped Up in PPE
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As surgical volumes decreased over the last year and the need for additional PPE increased, the redistribution of blue wrap materials to fill the PPE...
Love 'Em or Hate 'Em: How Not to be Annoyed in Sterile Processing
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Why can't we all just get along? What impact does drama have on a Sterile Processing team and how do these emotions impact both frontline technicians...
Corrective (Over)Reaction: Punishment & Quality in Sterile Services
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What role does corrective action and punishment play in Sterile Services departments? If we're dealing with life and death, how many errors are too m...
A Career that Matters: Learning from Decades of Decontamination
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How do you build a Sterile Processing career that you can be proud of? What are the keys to earning the trust of your customers and the respect of y...
All You Ever Wanted To Know About Being A Clinical Educator
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a great clinical educator? How should someone start preparing right now for a career as a clinical educator? On this Beyond Clean episode 2...
The Write Stuff: Pens, Markers & Sterile Packaging
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Where can you write on sterile packaging? Is certain ink really toxic and potentially dangerous to patients? Is this a practical conversation for Ster...
Blown Away: Utilizing Airflow to Automate the Endoscope Drying Process
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As healthcare professionals, we are no strangers to the complexity of flexible endoscope reprocessing. With different regulatory standards and IFUs to...
You Shall Not Pass - How Decontamination & Direction Break the Chain of Infection
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What's the big deal with a one-way workflow in decontamination? Is it really a critical aspect of infection control or just a common sense applicatio...
Rewarding Technical Excellence: A Model for Technical Career Growth
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How do you grow in your Sterile Processing career if you don't want to go into leadership? What can departments do to cultivate and reward technical e...
Stop, Drop Off, & Roll the Carts: Signs That Make the Sterile Processing Work...Flow
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever created a hand-made sign for your department? "Don't Touch" "Stack Containers Here" "Press Button for Service" The examples of things we...
The Laparoscopic Challenge - One Man's Mission for a Safer World
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What would you do if you had no decontamination room, no access to low-cost, reliable electricity and water, and a handful of laparoscopic devices to ...
Administrators - Creating Powerful Advocates for Sterile Processing Teams
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Would your hospital administrators recognize you in the hallway? When is the last time you saw your CEO take a stroll through your Sterile Processing ...
Bigger Than Us: What it Really Means to Build an Industry Worth Loving
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What causes one person to take pride in their job, and someone else to treat it like just a paycheck? When you drill down to the very core of a Steril...
Superbugs be Gone: New FDA Clearance for Terminal Endoscope Sterilization
15 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Picture it: you turn on the news and the top story reads: "infectious outbreak linked to hospital and clinic endoscopes." Let the media storm and re...
RedCap Quality - A Story of Technology, Creativity, and Accountability in SPD
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Broken processes, communication breakdowns with the Operating Room, and rising frustrations – sound like a challenge you are facing in your Sterile...
Raising the Disinfection Bar
08 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Everywhere we go, whether it is out to dinner, to the grocery store, or the hair salon-- we expect these establishments have invested in safe cleaning...
Target Acquired - What is Really Required for Endoscope Tracking & Tracing
04 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Could you prove your flexible endoscope was properly cleaned, processed, and stored for every scope, every patient, every time? Would it be a scrambl...
Fighting Dirty: The Sterile Processing Staffing Crisis
30 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Conversation with Jim Carlock, author of "Looming Sterile Processing Staffing Crisis Requires Action Now". You can read his article on the Beyond Clea...
Real Talk: Dear Administrators...Never enough time?
23 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"There's never enough time to do it right, but there's always enough time to do it again." In this episode Bob addresses the Administrators in the hos...
60-Second Growth Spurt: Set and Achieve SMART Goals
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's a list of excuses, a sincere lack of time, or the fact that our goals are too big and broad to even know where to start, all of these thi...
Driving Dental Compliance Through Comprehensive Instrument Management
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine sitting in the dentist chair waiting for your teeth cleaning when a staff member walks in with a tray of unwrapped instruments. If you are l...
Fighting Dirty: How long should you have to work in an industry before you can express an opinion about it?
09 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"I believe the closer our industry moves toward rewarding fresh opinions, the more of them we will see in our frontline technicians, leaders, and inno...
Visualize Quality: Equipping your Sterile Processing Teams with the EndoPro-Cam
04 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Picture this: You are assembling a tray; the phone rings and it is the operating room with news that the rigid scope they are using on a patient isn't...
Real Talk: FDA & Emergency Use Authorizations
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode Bob talks about about the Emergency Use Authorizations through the FDA during the pandemic and the implications of reusing and re-ster...
60-Second Growth Spurt: Changing Department Culture
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this third installment on managing change, Lindsay discusses easy ways to incrementally work toward changing overall department culture. How can le...
The Case for Usage Based Repair
23 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How often should your surgical instruments be repaired? Should your repair partner be on-site every week or should it all depend on your facility usag...
Fighting Dirty: The Platform for Sterile Processing Passion - Themes that Push Our Industry Forward
18 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What needs to be said about the #SterileProcessing industry that hasn't been said yet? Who's voice needs a platform to share their passion for the mis...
The Confidence to Care: Strategic CS Leadership
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Should CS leaders care what their employees think of them? What are the common ways new leaders fail themselves and their teams? On this episode 7 of ...
Real Talk: Overloaded Instrument Sets
11 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode Bob talks about a common issue experienced by many healthcare facilities--overloaded instrument sets. What are the implications of thi...
Fear Not? The Good and Bad of Sterile Processing Consultants
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"The consultants are coming, the consultants are coming!" Does that phrase give you a pit in your stomach or tell you that help is on the way? On this...
60-Second Growth Spurt: Asking for less to get more
04 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Managing change is complicated and sometimes in order to make a big ask and influence an overall shift in behavior or attitude, small steps are most e...
The Science of Endoscope Cleaning Research
02 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who on earth designed this cleaning chemical? And why did they do it that way? Well, we're glad you asked. On this episode 5 of Beyond Clean Season 10...
Fighting Dirty: In-Department Education - Inservices, Podcasts, and Training
28 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to host successful in-department education for your Sterile Processing team? Are you tapping into all the available tools and resour...
Dental Reprocessing Insider: Unique Challenges and Real Success
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Reprocessing dental instruments can look quite different at each facility-- from the layout and design to who is responsible for reprocessing. On th...
Real Talk: Healthcare Manufacturers Pivoting to Meet Our Needs
21 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode Bob talks about the ways in which healthcare manufacturers have changed the way they've supported the industry during this time of COV...
Reprocessing in the United Arab Emirates: A Story of Pandemic, Leadership & Innovation
19 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Each of our facilities and Sterile Processing departments experienced and responded to the recent global pandemic in different ways. Our abilities to ...
60-Second Growth Spurt: Influencing & Implementing Change
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Change is hard. And in Sterile Processing, change is the one thing that is constant. So how do you persuade a change in behavior or a shift in thinkin...