Beyond Clean Podcast

We're gearing up for an all-new season of Beyond Clean! Until then, we're bringing some of our Season 22 favorites back to your feed. Enjoy! Join us this week on Beyond Clean as we chat with Rory Burke, Lead Medical Supply Technician and member of the Beyond Clean Advisory Group, about consumables such as protein residue testing tools in Sterile Processing. On this episode, we discuss the differences between ATP and protein methods, workflow considerations, guidelines and standards around testing, and best practices for investigating failures. Rory provides perspective from the front lines on why protein testing adds value in monitoring cleaning effectiveness and how see it fitting into the broader goal of #FightingDirty. Don't miss this insightful conversation about optimizing quality and safety through cleaning verification testing! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode22_07 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access 350+ FREE CE credits and #KeepFightingDirty!

We're gearing up for an all-new season of Beyond Clean! Until then, we're bringing some of our Season 22 favorites back to your feed. Enjoy! Clean? Really Clean? Just a Dream? What does "Clean" even mean? Join us for this week's new release from Season 22 on Beyond Clean, featuring Pawel de Sternberg Stojalowski, an expert in decontamination science and cleaning verification fanatic! We pitch Pawel some of the most important questions related to clinically relevant test soils, optimizing washer loading techniques, and adopting a critical thinking approach to achieving true cleanliness in our workflows. Tune in to hear about emerging technologies like automation and AI in Sterile Processing, and the impact they may have on our conceptions of what's possible as 21 st century #CleanFreaks! We hope you can join us! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode22-05 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access 350+ FREE CE credits and #KeepFightingDirty!

We're gearing up for an all-new season of Beyond Clean! Until then, we're bringing some of our Season 22 favorites back to your feed. Enjoy! How well do you really know the Bowie Dick test? Join Don Tumminelli as he kicks off our Season 22 premiere and unpacks the history, science, and purpose behind this crucial daily sterilizer challenge test and one of the least understood SPD consumable. Learn proper test pack placement, cycle parameters, result interpretation, and troubleshooting steps for failures. Discover the difference between assessing air removal vs sterilization efficacy. Uncover common myths and look ahead to potential future advancements. Tune in to master the Bowie Dick test to optimize patient safety, comply with standards, and keep your department running smoothly! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode22-01 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access 350+ FREE CE credits and #KeepFightingDirty!

You press play, pass the quiz, and add another CE to your collection. But have you ever wondered what it takes for that education to become CE-approved in the first place? In this Season 33 finale episode, Bobby and Jason are turning the mic to Beyond Clean's Chelsea Schmitz for a behind-the-scenes look at how continuing education programs become CE-approved. With more than 500 CE submissions under her belt, Chels walks through how educational content goes from an idea to an approved CE, what it takes to maintain CE-approved content, and what separates meaningful education from another hour spent checking a requirement off the list. We're closing out a season dedicated to training in SPD with a look at what goes into the education that keeps #CleanFreaks and our industry moving forward. Don't miss this season finale! After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode33-08 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Season33 #BuiltDifferent #TrainingInSPD #CE #ContinuingEducation #CEApproved #Education

Sore feet? Aching knees? Tight shoulders? If you work in SPD, you probably just checked at least one of these boxes. In this week's episode of "Built Different: Training in SPD," Bobby and Jason connect with SPD professional and competitive bodybuilder Rebecca Lauber to talk about a side of the job we don't discuss nearly enough: the physical toll it can take on your body. From lifting heavy trays and pushing loaded carts to spending hours on your feet, Rebecca highlights small changes that can help technicians protect their bodies throughout the workday and beyond. She also discusses how movement, recovery, smarter ergonomics, and speaking up about pain can help you better handle the physical demands of the job. Consider this your SPD wellness check -- press play today! After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode33-07 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Season33 #BuiltDifferent #TrainingInSPD #PhysicalTraining #Ergonomics #Wellness #ProtectYourBody #FitForSPD

What if a little friendly competition could change the way your SPD team learns? This week, Bobby and Jason sit down with Ashley Thompson to talk about how gamification can turn everyday education into something technicians actually want to participate in. She shares how points, quizzes, personalized rewards, and healthy competition helped her team take a more active role in their own learning and professional growth. And the results go far beyond winning a game: from more engaging huddles to a 100% CRCST certification rate, Ashley's experience shows what's possible when learning becomes part of the culture. If you're ready to bring some new energy to education in your SPD, it's time to press play! BONUS CONTENT: Check out Ashley's "Points with Purpose" handout here: https://9231499.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/9231499/Beyond%20Clean%20Podcast/Bonus%20Content/A%20Thompson%20Points%20with%20Purpose.pdf After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode33-06 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Season33 #BuiltDifferent #TrainingInSPD #Gamification #Education #Certification #Competition #Learning #ProfessionalGrowth

If you ask three technicians how a process gets done in your SPD, there's a good chance you'll get three different answers. So how do you get everyone on the same page? In this week's episode of "Built Different: Training in SPD," Jhmeid Billingslea joins the conversation to explain why standardization is about much more than writing another SOP. He breaks down the difference between policies and SOPs, why the best processes are built with frontline technicians, and how clear expectations help teams work toward the same goal. If you're ready to get every shift moving in the same direction, you won't want to miss this conversation! After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode33-05 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Season33 #BuiltDifferent #TrainingInSPD #Standardization #SOP #Policy #Competency #Goals #Consistency

Are your annual competencies actually measuring proficiency, or just checking boxes? This week, Bobby and Jason sit down with SPD educator Tanya Cambise for an honest conversation about what annual competencies should look like in Sterile Processing. Tanya explains why competency verification isn't about checking another box; it's about ensuring your team can confidently and consistently perform every task in your workflows. From using quality data and daily observations to spotting process drift and targeting high-risk skills, she shares how departments can move beyond the same return demonstrations year after year and focus education where it matters most. If you're ready to rethink annual competencies in your SPD, this conversation is a great place to start! After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode33-04 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Season33 #BuiltDifferent #TrainingInSPD #Competencies #Documentation #Checklist #Verification #AnnualCompetency #Education

Dig out those competency binders, #CleanFreaks! On this episode of Beyond Clean, Bobby Parker and co-host Jason Minutillo welcome Jeremy Bernier to discuss what it really takes to bring a competency program into the digital age. He explains why modernizing your competencies isn't just about incorporating technology; it's about creating a system that supports continuous learning, reflects real workflows, and grows alongside your department. From aligning education with everyday practice to engaging frontline technicians, Jeremy shares his biggest takeaways for building a competency program that stays relevant long after survey season has passed. If you're looking for smarter ways to keep your competencies current, consistent, and meaningful, this episode is a must-listen! After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode33-03 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Season33 #BuiltDifferent #TrainingInSPD #Competencies #Documentation #Digital #Technology #Education #Workflows

Looking around your SPD, chances are many of your fellow #CleanFreaks found their way into Sterile Processing through very different journeys. But that's beginning to change. This week, we sit down with Veronica Martinez, Sterile Processing Coordinator at Mountainland Technical College, to explore how collegiate programs are changing the way people begin their careers in Sterile Processing. Veronica shares how hands-on labs, clinical partnerships, and classroom learning prepare students before they ever step into an SPD. She also explains why curiosity, critical thinking, and understanding the "why" behind every process are just as important as learning the tasks themselves. If you're considering a collegiate program or welcoming new graduates into your department, this episode will have you rethinking what it means to prepare for a career in SPD! After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode33-02 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Season33 #BuiltDifferent #TrainingInSPD #CollegiatePrograms #Classroom #Learning #CareerDevelopment #Graduate

Every strong SPD starts with strong leadership. The question is: how do you build it? On the Season 33 premiere of Beyond Clean, we sit down with Jason Minutillo and Concepcion "Connie" Class Ballejo to explore what it really takes to prepare new leaders before they're expected to lead. They discuss everything from mentorship and structured onboarding to creating support systems that help new managers build relationships, gain confidence, and grow into their roles from day one. Whether you're stepping into leadership for the first time or mentoring the next generation, this conversation is packed with practical ideas to help your team become truly built different. After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode33-01 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Season33 #BuiltDifferent #TrainingInSPD #Leadership #Leader #Teams #Mentoring #Onboarding

Sterilization monitoring shouldn't slow your department down. On this week's Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™, Matt Linabery and Larry Talapa from Solventum join us to share how Solventum's latest solutions are helping SPD teams simplify workflows while increasing confidence in their sterilization monitoring processes. From the digital pass/fail results and innovative technology of the 3M™ Attest™ eBowie-Dick Test System to the preassembled 3M™ Attest™ Super Rapid Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide Clear Challenge Pack and 3M™ Attest™ Steam Clear Challenge Packs designed to save time and improve consistency, these innovative solutions were built for the growing demands of today's SPD. Tune in today to discover how Solventum is helping Sterile Processing departments rethink efficiency, standardization, and monitoring across their sterilization workflows. Learn more about Solventum's Attest™ Sterilization Assurance solutions by visiting go.solventum.com/attest or connecting with your local sales rep. Be sure to check out their library of white papers (see links below) and educational resources for additional insights into their sterilization monitoring solutions. Time Saving Advantages of a New Electronic Bowie and Dick Test System 3M™ Attest™ eBowie-Dick Test Card Performance for ISO Type 2 Indicators Evaluation of the 3M™ Attest™ eBowie-Dick Test Card Performance Requirements for ISO 11140-4 Type 2 Indicators 3M™ Attest™ 1295PCD Technical information sheet 3M™ Attest™ Super Rapid Steam Gravity Clear Challenge Pack 1493PCDG 3M™ Attest™ Super Rapid Steam Clear Challenge Pack 1492PCD Evaluation

Your steam cycle finishes, and out of habit, someone cracks the sterilizer door. Sound familiar? On this episode of Beyond Clean, we sit down with Echo Pontinen, Sterile Processing Educator at Lee Health, to take a closer look at the long-standing practice of cracking the sterilizer door after a cycle. This conversation will dive into what sterilizer IFUs actually recommend, why wet loads happen in the first place, and how practices meant to "help" can sometimes prevent teams from identifying bigger issues with equipment, water quality, and more. As we wrap up the season, Echo leaves us with one final SPD fact check that may have your team asking whether your current process is solving the problem or hiding it. After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode32-08 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. 🎉 That's a wrap on another incredible season of Beyond Clean! A huge thank you to our guests for sharing their expertise and to our #CleanFreaks for listening and learning with us all season long. We'll see you soon for Season 33! #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Podcast #Season32 #SPDFactCheck #SteamSterilization #WetLoads #CrackedSterilizerDoor #IFU #Workflow

At first glance, most rigid endoscopes look pretty much the same. So why can some be steam sterilized while others absolutely can't? On this episode of "SPD Fact Check," Kurt Audette, Clinical Specialist at KARL STORZ, helps us look beyond the surface and into the complex design features that determine how rigid endoscopes should be reprocessed. From understanding how optics respond to temperature changes to why light post adapters should almost always be removed before sterilization, Kurt connects the anatomy of the scope to the realities of SPD workflow. Whether you're processing rigid scopes every day or still trying to decode the IFUs, this conversation brings much-needed clarity to one of Sterile Processing's most nuanced reprocessing topics. For more rigid endoscope reprocessing insights, check out Kurt's Beyond Clean Rigid Endoscope Expert Series™ here: https://beyondcleanmedia.com/expert-series/rigid-endoscope-expert/ After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode32-07 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Podcast #Season32 #SPDFactCheck #RigidEndoscopes #IFU #Endoscope #SteamSterilization #LowTempSterilization

Your SPD has temperature controls, storage policies, and carefully designed workflows to protect sterility. So what happens when your instruments leave your facility and head to a clinic across town? This week, we're sitting down with Krystal Parrish to explore the real-world challenges of maintaining sterile storage best practices across clinics and specialty practices. From soiled instruments wrapped in paper towels to sterile supplies stored in office drawers, Krystal shares what her team has uncovered while supporting more than 40 off-site locations. She also discusses how SPD leaders can improve transport and storage practices through education, collaboration, and consistency while still maintaining the trust of the teams they support. If your instruments travel beyond the walls of your facility, this episode will have you taking a closer look at what happens after they leave your department. After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode32-06 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Podcast #Season32 #SPDFactCheck #SterileStorage #Transportation #BestPractices #StorageStandards #Consistency

What does it really take to make sure a black speck problem never comes back? In the final episode of "What the Speck?," Sterile Processing expert Kendra Lucas shares the real-world story of how her team worked through one of the most disruptive debris issues a department can face. From canceled surgeries and strained OR/SPD relationships to the detailed root cause analysis needed to uncover the source, Kendra walks us through the investigation that finally revealed what was really happening behind the scenes. Because solving the mystery is one thing—but making sure it never returns is the real victory. 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) for your SPD. A special thanks to our sponsor, Aesculap®, for supporting this podcast series! #BeyondClean #Aesculap #SterileProcessing #WhatTheSpeck #BlackSpecks #SurgicalTrays #Podcast

You're doing the work. You're solving the problems. Now it's time to take the lead! On this Season 2 finale of "On Pathogens & PPE," host Jill Holdsworth is joined by Kelly Zabriskie, Lee Smith, Dr. Kevin Bush, and David Jagrosse to take a closer look at what leadership really means in Sterile Processing. From finding your voice and building confidence to forming partnerships and stepping beyond the walls of SPD, this group shares what it takes to grow as a leader at every level. Whether you're stepping into your first leadership role or leading with years of experience, this episode will challenge you to think bigger about your role and your impact. You won't want to miss this one, #CleanFreaks! That's a wrap on Season 2! Thank you for coming along for the ride, and a big shoutout to our incredible host and special guests for making it all possible. All episodes are now streaming—listen wherever you get your podcasts, or you can catch them on the Beyond Clean and Transmission Control websites. #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.

You run a borescope through an instrument, and something doesn't look right. Is it debris? Damage? Or has it always been there? On this episode of Beyond Clean, we're joined by William Filipponi to break down one of the biggest challenges teams face after implementing borescopes: knowing what you're actually looking at. From telling the difference between debris and manufacturing artifact to building reference tools that help your team make confident calls, Bill walks us through how to make sense of what you're seeing inside your instruments for the first time. Whether you're new to borescopes or looking to strengthen your process, this episode brings clarity to one of the biggest learning curves in SPD. After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode32-05 Visit our CE Credit Hub at https://www.beyondcleanmedia.com/ce-credit-hub to access this quiz and over 350 other free CE credits. #BeyondClean #SterileProcessing #Podcast #Season32 #SPDFactCheck #Borescopes #InstrumentInspection #SurgicalInstruments #Debris

Black specks may be small, but the tension they create between departments can be anything but. In this episode of "What the Speck ? ," Alex Miseirvitch from Aesculap ® joins us again to talk about one of the most overlooked challenges in solving the black speck mystery—finger-pointing. When trays are rejected and surgeries are delayed, the pressure to find someone responsible can quickly overshadow the real goal: protecting patients and solving the issue together. Alex shares lessons from the field on how teams can move past blame and work together to find real solutions. Because when everyone is focused on proving who's right, it becomes a lot harder to solve what's actually wrong. Tune in today! 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) for your SPD. A special thanks to our sponsor, Aesculap®, for supporting this podcast series! #BeyondClean #Aesculap #SterileProcessing #WhatTheSpeck #BlackSpecks #SurgicalTrays #Podcast

You're building a tray. The phone rings. Someone needs an update. You step away… and just like that, the process breaks. On this week's episode of "On Pathogens & PPE," host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Katie Belski are joined by Art Babiy, Jennifer Greisen, and Ebow Holdbrook-Smith to talk through the real challenges #CleanFreaks are facing in assembly areas. From stepping away mid-tray and chasing down tools to managing constant distractions and pressure from the OR, this conversation calls out the moments where processes can break down and how your team can stay on track. If you've ever felt the pressure to move faster while still getting it right, this episode is for you! 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.