Beyond Clean Podcast

A tiny needle. A missed burr. A hidden blade at the bottom of the sink. These aren't just near misses—they're real exposure risks facing techs in decontam every day. So, how prepared is your team to respond? This week, we're joined by Garrett Hollembeak, infection preventionist and Editor-in-Chief of Transmission Control, to explore pathogen exposure through the eyes of an IP. From bloodborne pathogen kits and near-miss reporting to PPE breakdowns and employee health follow-up, Garrett shares a frontline perspective on what happens when worst-case scenarios become real. Whether you're developing safety protocols or wondering about the true risks of serious bloodborne exposures, this is one conversation that could save more than just paperwork—it could save a life. Season 28 of Beyond Clean releases under the 1 Episode = 1 CE delivery model. After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. 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 #WeFightDirty #Podcast #Season28 #InfectionPrevention #WorkplaceSafety

On this episode of the StreetClothes podcast series, we talk to a healthcare professional whose passion project is generating some serious buzz in his own backyard! With 31 hives and counting, this busy bee has discovered the joy—minus the occasional sting—and the liquid gold rewards of working with nature’s busiest pollinators. Tune in to hear how Cody Troutt's adventures in beekeeping bring the sweetest kind of work-life balance to life beyond the hospital… If you like this series OR have an interesting side-hustle, passion project, or hobby you do outside of your hospital day job that keeps you inspired, refreshed, and motivated, we'd love to hear from you! Message Hank Balch on LinkedIn for a chance to come on the show and share it with the world!  #StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

On this week’s episode of Everything is Cleaner in Texas, we’re wrangling one of the toughest, sneakiest outlaws in SPD — the one and only biofilm! Join host Dusty Glass as he sits down with STERIS’s Amy Williams to break down how this invisible threat forms, spreads, and sticks around longer than it should. From point-of-use cleaning to the risks of dried-on bioburden, Amy shares practical insights, tough truths, and the strategies every frontline team needs to know to stop biofilm in its tracks. If you’ve ever wondered how biofilm forms—or how to stop the spread—this episode is packed with the tools you need to #FightDirty! A special thanks to our sponsor, STERIS IMS, for making this series possible! Their commitment to education and excellence in the Sterile Processing industry has been instrumental in bringing this series to life. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook so you never miss a new episode! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. 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 #STERISIMS #EverythingIsCleanerInTexas #SterileProcessing

From the shelf to the sterile field, smart inventory makes all the difference! In this week’s new episode from our “Process Better” series, Tracy Smith, National Market Sales Director at Medline, takes us inside the everyday realities of supply management across SPD and the OR. From improving pick accuracy to staying ahead of expirations, Tracy shares practical strategies to help teams bring structure and consistency to their inventory process. Whether you're trying to stay ahead of expiration dates or chasing down missing items, this episode offers the insight and tools you need to take control of your supply game—one pick at a time. Tune in today! This dynamic 5-part series takes you inside the core workflows of Sterile Processing—from point-of-use cleaning to instrument management and everything in between. With each episode, you’ll hear real-world strategies to help your team improve consistency, boost collaboration, and elevate instrument quality from start to finish. Whether you're assembling trays, managing inventory, or training the next generation, this series is packed with insights to help your team process better every instrument, every time. A special thanks to our sponsor, Medline Industries, LP, for making this series possible! #BeyondClean #Medline #ProcessBetter #InstrumentReprocessing #SterileProcessing #SmartInventory #HealthcareSupplyChain #ExpirationDates

Three turns of a screw could be the difference between a clean instrument and a dangerous infection risk—yet how do we know which instruments actually need to come apart in decontam? On this episode of Beyond Clean's Planet Decontam, we welcome the new President of HSPA, Arlene Bush, to weigh in on the critical debate around instrument disassembly during manual and automated cleaning. From navigating complex IFUs to training strategies that empower frontline #CleanFreaks, Arlene tackles the real challenges of knowing what must come apart—and how to put it all back together again. Whether you're looking to build confidence in new technicians or streamline your processes, this is one episode you don’t want to miss! Season 28 of Beyond Clean releases under the 1 Episode = 1 CE delivery model. After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. 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 #WeFightDirty #Podcast #Season28 #Instruments #Disassembly #IFU

From east to west and everywhere in between, no one’s seen it all quite like Ron Hunsucker. In this week’s episode of Everything is Cleaner in Texas, we sit down with the legendary “Cowboy of Clean” to talk shop on everything from certification journeys to culture shifts in Sterile Processing. With four decades of boots-on-the-ground experience, Ron shares the wins, the lessons, and the leadership mindset that’s shaped his work across every corner of the Lone Star State. Whether you're learning the ropes or leading the way, this conversation is filled with hard-earned wisdom and that signature Texas grit. A special thanks to our sponsor, STERIS IMS, for making this series possible! Their commitment to education and excellence in the Sterile Processing industry has been instrumental in bringing this series to life. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook so you never miss a new episode! After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. 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 #STERISIMS #EverythingIsCleanerInTexas #SterileProcessing

Set assembly might seem routine, but it’s one of the most critical opportunities to ensure instrument accuracy and performance. So, how do you create a process that supports accuracy without slowing down your team? In this episode of our “Process Better” series, Tory Teakell, Clinical Solutions Manager at Medline, walks us through the essential role of assembly and inspection—and how purposeful audits can turn good processes into great ones. From managing productivity pressures to improving technician training, Tory shares practical ways to support consistency at the prep table and beyond. If you're looking to fine-tune your set assembly process and empower your team to succeed, this episode is a must-listen! This dynamic 5-part series takes you inside the core workflows of Sterile Processing—from point-of-use cleaning to instrument management and everything in between. With each episode, you’ll hear real-world strategies to help your team improve consistency, boost collaboration, and elevate instrument quality from start to finish. Whether you're assembling trays, managing inventory, or training the next generation, this series is packed with insights to help your team process better every instrument, every time. A special thanks to our sponsor, Medline Industries, LP, for making this series possible! #BeyondClean #Medline #ProcessBetter #InstrumentReprocessing #SterileProcessing #SetAssembly #InstrumentPerformance #InstrumentInspection

Hey #CleanFreaks -- What if the dirtiest surface in your SPD’s decontam isn't at your workstation, but on the floor you're standing on? This week, we welcome infection prevention expert Ericka Kalp to expose the hidden dangers lurking on the surface of your SPD’s floors—and why ignoring them could be putting your patients and your team at risk. From selecting the right disinfectants to establishing clear cleaning accountability between departments, Ericka reveals how those microscopic microbes under your shoes are leaving behind a trail of contamination with every step you take. If you've ever walked into decon and asked, "Why is the floor so sticky?"—this is one conversation you don't want to miss! Season 28 of Beyond Clean releases under the 1 Episode = 1 CE delivery model. After finishing this interview, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked below each week. 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 #WeFightDirty #Podcast #Season28 #Contamination #DecontamFloors

On this episode 4 of the StreetClothes podcast, we talk to Lindsay Brown, a Minnesota clinician who has a passion project unlike any other! Not only does she know where babies come from (every child's eternal question), she also knows how clinical expertise beautifully combines with nurturing care during life's very first moments.  Tune in to hear how Linds's work as a doula brings comfort and advocacy to the birthing experience outside of her 9-5 healthcare role... If you like this series OR have an interesting side-hustle, passion project, or hobby you do outside of your hospital day job that keeps you inspired, refreshed, and motivated, we'd love to hear from you! Message Hank Balch on LinkedIn for a chance to come on the show and share it with the world!  #StreetClothes #Hobbies #SideHustles #PeopleMatter #Healthcare #BeyondClean #FirstCase #PowerSupply #TransmissionControl #HealthcareHQ

Across the great state of Texas and beyond, Sterile Processing pros are sharpening their skills, building confidence, and making a real impact where it matters most – patient safety. In this week’s episode of Everything is Cleaner in Texas, hosts Hank Balch and Dusty Glass team up with Kurt Van Sickel, Program Director and Career Coach at Good Works Collective, to spotlight the power of professional development in SPD. From the classroom to #FightingDirty in decontam, Kurt shares how upskilling, soft-skill training, and real-world mentorship are opening career doors – and powering the next generation of #CleanFreaks. Ready to invest in your team – or yourself? This one’s for you! A special thanks to our sponsor, STERIS IMS, for making this series possible! Their commitment to education and excellence in the Sterile Processing industry has been instrumental in bringing this series to life. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook so you never miss a new episode! #BeyondClean #STERISIMS #EverythingIsCleanerInTexas #SterileProcessing