127. Nightmare on SPD Street

On a dark and stormy night, possibly at a hospital in your hometown, there are terrible dangers waiting inside the basement. Improper cleaning, poor storage practices, and unsealed packages are just some of the nightmares that await inside a sterile processing department near you. The Packaging Princess, Malinda Elammari, has seen some of these bad practices and lived to tell the tale. Join us (if you dare) and learn about the horrors that await…

126. Sterile Processing Technologist? Why We Need a New (More Accurate) Job Title

For years, sterile processing has been seen as an ‘entry-level’ position. But have we moved beyond that? In this episode, Kevin and Adam dive into the complex science and technology now driving the modern sterile processing department. They discuss why it’s time for the industry to recognize and re-evaluate the expertise of our sterile processing professionals. This episode is a call to action for SP leaders to rethink our perception of sterile processing—and to reshape our vision for the future.

125. Honoring Sterile Processing Technicians with HSPA President-Elect Arlene Bush

Sterile Processing Technicians work tirelessly in a demanding role with minimal pay, benefits, and often without recognition, despite their crucial contributions to patient safety. In this episode, we sit down with HSPA President-Elect Arlene Bush to discuss how we can better celebrate, appreciate, and support these essential healthcare professionals. Happy Sterile Processing Week! 

124. Breaking the Cycle: Confronting Workplace Bullying in Healthcare with Katie Belski

The healthcare environment is already a stressful one with a fast pace, constantly shifting priorities and emergent needs, and demands of consistent excellence.  But this environment gets even more challenging when there is one or more workplace bullies in our midst.  In this episode, we speak to Katie Belski, a long-time professional of the healthcare field working in positions like Quality, IP, and Sterile Processing to hear her thoughts on why these bullies are so prevalent, the impact of them, both mental and financial, and how we can start to fix a toxic workplace culture.

123: Disposable Scopes: Reducing Infection Risks and Environmental Impact

With infections linked to flexible endoscope reprocessing making headlines, many departments are turning to disposable scopes to reduce the risk. In this episode, we talk with Jill Berends (Ambu) about the latest studies on disposable scopes, their impact on patient outcomes, and the steps Ambu is taking to address environmental concerns.

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122. TIR99 for Processing Probes & Dilators

2024 saw the release of AAMI TIR99 for the reprocessing of probes & dilators.  But many facilities are not aware of this new document and the recommendations that can help your department make informed decisions on these complex devices.  As the co-chair for the AAMI working group that wrote this document, Garland-Rhea Grisby is uniquely qualified to introduce us to the wonderful world of TIR99!