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PODCAST

Beyond Clean Podcast

Beyond Clean Podcast

Even though their tools and equipment touch nearly every surgical patient in the world, how much do you really know about the people, processes, and products used in the Sterile Processing industry? Beyond Clean offers a creative look into the inner workings of a healthcare industry surrounded by challenges, disrupted by change, and committed to getting it right -- every instrument, every time. The team at Beyond Clean will bring on some of the biggest names in surgical instrument reprocessing and

science life sciences

All Episodes

34:49

SPD Fact Check - The $4,999 Problem: What Invoice...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/27

$4,999. In many SPDs, that number can be the difference between getting what your department needs—or waiting months for approval. On this episode of Beyond Clean, we're joined by Stephen Benzel, Director of Accounting at LifeSpring Health Systems, to take a closer look at the financial decisions directly impacting how your SPD operates day to day. From the risks tied to splitting invoices to how budget structures can push teams toward short-term workarounds, Stephen brings clarity to the financial

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33:16

Problems in the Pipes: Is Water Causing Your Black...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/22

When black specks show up in your trays, water is often the first suspect—but is it really to blame? In this episode of "What the Speck?," Christian Abell from Aesculap's Surgical Asset Management team dives into one of the most common theories behind the black speck mystery: water quality. From city water changes and construction disturbances to failing filters and aging equipment, Christian breaks down how contaminants can make their way from the pipes into your reprocessing workflows. If you've

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34:20

On Pathogens & PPE: Why Brush Selection Matters

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/21

Think one brush fits all? Think again! On this week's episode of "On Pathogens & PPE," hosts Jill Holdsworth and Trevor Hazen are joined by Nelson Winter, Emily Barnard, and Ron Hunsucker to take a closer look at how brush selection, sizing, and technique impact your manual cleaning process. From choosing the right brush size and type to knowing when a brush has reached the end of its life, this group calls out the habits that can quietly compromise your workflow. They also highlight how training,

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37:34

SPD Fact Check - Just Roll with It? The Dirty Truth...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/20

It might only be a few steps from the OR to decontam, so how do you ensure your instruments get there safely? This week on Season 32 "SPD Fact Check," we're joined by veteran Sterile Processing consultant Marc Finch as he shares what it really takes to move contaminated instruments safely through your facility. From what AAMI ST79 requires to why back table drapes and biohazard bags fall short, Marc walks us through the critical steps that can often be overlooked. He also highlights how gaps in

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35:38

Clear the Air: Rethinking PPE Protection in SPD

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/17

Is the PPE your team relies on actually built for the environment you work in? On this week's Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™, Ken Arthur and Desiree Acedo from MAXAIR® Systems join us to explore how the MAXAIR® CAPR® system is redefining safety, comfort, and protection in high-heat, high-moisture decontamination environments. With ANSI-AAMI PB 70 Level 4 Fluid/Splash and NIOSH Approved Respiratory protection, adjustable airflow, and a lightweight, fog-free design, this innovative PPE helps techs

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30:38

A Trail of Breadcrumbs: Getting to the Source of Your...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/15

Behind every black speck is a process, a piece of equipment, or a hidden culprit waiting to be discovered. In this episode of "What the Speck?," SPD professional and consultant Warren Nist joins us to discuss how departments can move beyond identifying debris and begin uncovering the root cause behind it. From quality reports and workflow data to full department risk assessments, Warren walks through how experienced SPD teams track contamination back to its source. We also uncover some surprising

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31:44

On Pathogens & PPE: What's Hiding in Your Lumens

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/14

You followed the IFU. You brushed. You flushed. So it's clean… right? On this week's episode of "On Pathogens & PPE," hosts Jill Holdsworth and Brandon Gantt are teaming up with Aaron Preston, Cheron Rojo, and Jahan Azizi to take a closer look at what's hiding inside your lumen instruments. As more departments adopt borescopes, teams are uncovering retained debris, moisture, and internal damage that would have otherwise gone unnoticed, even when reprocessing steps were correctly followed. From

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34:32

SPD Fact Check - Workin' at the Cart Wash: Exploring...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/13

Case carts in, case carts out—but do you really know what's happening inside your SPD's cart washer? On this episode of Beyond Clean, we're joined by Angus Bruce as he breaks down what modern cart washers are actually capable of—and where teams can run into trouble without realizing it. From when it makes sense to run instruments through them to why your chemistries might be expiring in the detergent room, Angus walks us through the decisions that can't be overlooked. He also highlights how gaps in

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31:10

From Speck to Source: What Exactly Is a "Black Speck?"

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/08

When a black speck shows up in a surgical tray, the first question is simple: "What is it?" But as many Sterile Processing teams discover, the answer is anything but straightforward. On this episode of "What the Speck?," global reprocessing expert Dr. Gerhard Kirmse from Aesculap joins us to explore the science of identifying this pesky, unidentified debris and to tackle the question at the center of the mystery: "What exactly is a black speck?" From microscopic analysis and lab testing to on-site

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38:36

On Pathogens & PPE: Getting Sterile Storage Right

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/07

Peel pouches hanging from clips, dust collecting in bins, trays stacked just a little too high… sound familiar? When it comes to sterile storage, small shortcuts can lead to big risks. On this episode of "On Pathogens & PPE," host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Mark Copeland sit down with Tiffany Reece, Malinda Elammari, and Kendall Ashe to dive into the storage challenges showing up in sterile storage areas right now. From creative (but risky) space solutions to confusion around probe storage and

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33:12

SPD Fact Check - The Robot Whisperer: Clearing Up...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/06

Robotic cases aren't slowing down—and neither are the demands on Sterile Processing. On this premiere episode of Beyond Clean's Season 32, "SPD Fact Check," we introduce your co-host for the season, Jaime Amaya, aka "The Robot Whisperer," as she breaks down what it really takes to keep robotic instruments moving safely through SPD. From complex flushing requirements in decontam, to ultrasonic selection and required magnified inspection, Jaime walks us through the steps that can't be rushed or

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28:14

Black Specks, Big Consequences: Exploring the...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/04/01

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

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39:29

On Pathogens & PPE: Decontam Under Pressure

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/03/31

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

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40:22

On Pathogens & PPE: Endoscope Reprocessing Challenges

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/03/24

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

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29:38

A Total 360: The Story of a Complete Shift from 0 to...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/03/20

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,

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43:08

On Pathogens & PPE: Environmental Emergencies in SPD

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/03/17

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

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37:31

On Pathogens & PPE: Why Water Quality Matters

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/03/10

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

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43:59

On Pathogens & PPE: The Challenge of Robotic...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/03/03

Robotic surgery is a game-changer for patient care — but what does that mean for the teams responsible for safely reprocessing these complex instruments? In this episode of "On Pathogens & PPE," hosts Jill Holdsworth and Rebecca Alvino are joined by Rebecca Peplau, Vanessa Frank, and Tamara Behm to tackle the most common challenges of robotic instrument reprocessing. From sinks that are too small and complex IFUs to flushing challenges and drying dilemmas, these experts break down what it truly

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24:00

Beyond Clean Canada: More Than Instruments:...

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/02/25

Behind every sterilized instrument is a dedicated MDR professional. So, how do we support these professionals who make surgery possible every single day? On this season finale of Beyond Clean Canada, hosts Barry and Stacey sit down with the Canadian Association of Medical Device Reprocessing (CAMDR) President, Danny LeBlanc, and Secretary, Stephanie Mailman-Crouse, to explore how CAMDR is building community and elevating the profession from coast to coast. Danny shares his journey through the MDR

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39:34

On Pathogens & PPE: Hand Hygiene in SPD

Beyond Clean Podcast ·

2026/02/24

Hey #CleanFreaks, pop quiz: When's the last time you washed your hands on the clean side, and should you have? On this episode of "On Pathogens & PPE," host Jill Holdsworth, co-host Rebecca Alvino, and special guests Ebow Holdbrook-Smith and Ivan Gowe dive into the gray areas of when, where, and how SPD staff should be performing hand hygiene. From identifying the critical transition points where hands need to be cleaned to understanding why your decontam sink is off-limits for handwashing, these IP

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