11/14/2024
Process This! Episode 121: Sterile Processing Workstations In episode 121, host Jon Wood speaks with Hannah Schroeder about one of the most important tools in Sterile Processing (SP): workstations. Schroeder discusses the primary functions, evolution and future potential of the SP workstation. She elaborates on the need for a proper workstation to support s
10/31/2024
Process This! Episode 120: Rediscovering Sterile Processing In episode 120, host Jon Wood speaks with Frederick Westermeyer about his journey in rediscovering Sterile Processing (SP) after surviving a traumatic medical issue and the resulting infection that lead to an amputation. As an SP clinical educator, Westermeyer has a unique perspective surrounding hi
10/15/2024
Process This! Episode 119: Sterile Processing Sharps Safety In episode 119, host Jon Wood speaks with Sterile Processing (SP) Consultant and Clinical Educator Casey Czarnowski about sharps injuries. Czarnowski explains the dangers of bloodborne pathogens contracted by seemingly minor scrapes, cuts and pokes. These injuries can occur during Operating Room set
10/01/2024
Process This! Episode 118: Bullying in Sterile Processing In episode 118, host Jon Wood speaks with HSPA’s Director of Education Natalie Lind about bullying in Sterile Processing (SP). Lind discusses how the prevalence of bullying in Sterile Processing departments not only breaks down morale but also has direct and negative effects on the quality of patien
09/13/2024
Process This! Episode 117: Positivity and Mindfulness in Sterile Processing In episode 117, host Jon Wood speaks with Jan Prudent about cultivating confidence among the Sterile Processing (SP) team and helping staff members overcome self-doubt. Prudent discusses strategies for being mindful of team members in order to build a positive work environment. Her suggestions inclu
08/30/2024
Process This! Episode 116: IFU From the Simple to the Complex In episode 116, host Jon Wood speaks with Tami Heacock, System Director of Sterile Processing with Lee Health, about instructions for use (IFU) and the daily challenges faced in the Sterile Processing department (SPD). Heacock discusses the wide range of detail levels found in IFU, from the simple t
08/15/2024
Process This! Episode 115: Sterile Processing Hiring and Culture Improvements In episode 115, host Jon Wood speaks with Jeremy Thompson and Gary Wright, Sterile Processing Educators at the University of Kansas Health System, about the hiring challenges in Sterile Processing and modifying the culture to make employment more attractive. The conversation delves into the focus of
07/31/2024
Process This! Episode 114: Canadian Standards Association for Sterile Processing In episode 114, host Jon Wood speaks with Barry Pickrem about the contrast between the Canadian Standards Association for Sterile Processing and the standards found in the United States, particularly ANSI/AAMI ST79:2017/(R)2022 Comprehensive guide to steam sterilization and sterility assurance in he
07/11/2024
Process This! Episode 113: Keeping a Positive Culture in Sterile Processing In episode 113, host Jon Wood speaks with Elizabeth Casey about cultures in Sterile Processing (SP) and the importance of keeping a positive outlook despite the many negative aspects encountered in the field. Casey discusses how approaching SP as part of the surgical team and changing our attitudes
06/26/2024
Process This! Episode 112: The Relationship Between Biomed and Sterile Processing In episode 112, host Jon Wood speaks with Michele McKinley about the unique possibilities for partnership between the Biomedical and Sterile Processing departments. McKinley addresses how to build this relationship, the opportunities and challenges of collaboration, and how critical this interaction
06/17/2024
Process This! Episode 111: Bosses Vs. Leaders In episode 111, host Jon Wood speaks with Preston Rosales about the differences between bosses and true leaders in Sterile Processing (SP). Rosales explains that leaders are often bosses, but bosses are not always leaders, and offers scenarios that define reactions of the two. Their conversation inc
05/30/2024
Process This! Episode 110: Mentoring in a Sterile Processing Environment In episode 110, host Jon Wood speaks with Jennifer Behlmann about mentoring in Sterile Processing. Behlman discusses the importance of passing on knowledge and experience to others through a deliberate process of "intentional mentorship." She also shares details about her own mentorship journey both
05/15/2024
Process This! Episode 109: Surprising Data on Sterile Processing Packaging In episode 109, host Jon Wood speaks with Malinda Elammari, Clinical Education Specialist at Healthmark Industries, a Getinge company, about unexpected data on packaging in the SPD. Elammari reviews packaging types and levels as well as confusion and misconceptions that can be found.
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05/01/2024
Process This! Episode 108: Sterile Processing and Dental Instruments In episode 108, host Jon Wood speaks with Julie Morrill and Karen Raposa, regional managers at HuFriedyGroup, aChicago-based dental supply and equipment company. Morrill and Raposa sink their teeth into infection prevention compliance associated with dental instruments. They also discuss common chal
04/15/2024
Process This! Episode 107: The Ergonomic Benefits of Work-Area Layout in the SPD In episode 107, host Jon Wood speaks with Hannah Schroeder, Clinical Education Specialist at Pure Processing. Schroeder provides her recommendations and rationalizations for record keeping, time stamping, organization, and foot-traffic flow to contribute to the success of the Sterile Processing depa
04/01/2024
Process This! Episode 106: HSPA Foundation & Mercy Ships: A Shared Mission to Change Lives In episode 106, host Jon Wood speaks with Kimberly Ames, the Global Programatic Lead Recruiter and U.S. Recruitment Manager at Mercy Ships, about the importance of the Mercy Ships mission, what it takes to volunteer, and the steps necessary to go from application to serving. Also featured on this po
03/15/2024
Process This! Episode 105: Drying Medical Devices Before Sterilization: A Vital Step In episode 105, host Jon Wood speaks with Ann Hewitt and Bob Straub from CENORIN about the critical importance of drying instruments prior to sterilization. More specifically, they discuss how moisture present on devices prior to undergoing steam sterilization or low-temperature sterilization can ne
02/29/2024
Process This! Episode 104: AAMI Standard and TIR Updates for Sterile Processing In episode 104, host Jon Wood speaks with HSPA Clinical Educator Sue Klacik about several key AAMI standards and technical information reports (TIRs) that affect Sterile Processing. Specifically, she provides updates about ANSI/AAMI ST108, Water for the processing of medical devices, AAMI TIR99 Dila
02/14/2024
Process This! Episode 103: Laying the Foundation for a Successful Robotics Service Line In episode 103, host Jon Wood speaks with Marcy Duffy, Intuitive's Genesis Reprocessing Product Manager, about robotics in reprocessing. She identifies critical factors to consider when planning a robotics service line, including workflow and layout, assessment of current equipment, understanding ho
01/31/2024
Process This! Episode 102: All About Your Health in Sterile Processing In our 102nd episode, host Jon Wood speaks with fitness trainer and nutrition coach, Brenda Edwards, about physical, emotional and mental health. Specifically, she shares her recommendations for mobility activities to address the physical demands within the Sterile Processing department. Click the l
01/12/2024
Process This! Episode 101: Peeling Back The Layers on SPD Water Quality In our 101st episode, host Jon Wood reviews the most recent articles found in HSPA's PROCESS magazine related to water quality. Specifically, he explores the article, “A Leader’s Guide to Understanding and Following ST108,” authored by Marie Brewer, and key aspects of “Guarding the Gateway: Ensuring
01/03/2024
Process This! Episode 100 Top Ten Episode Moments of 2023 In our 100th episode, host Jon Wood revisits 10 must-hear segments from a variety of HSPA interviews conducted in 2023. Some of these discussions include surgical instruments and IFU, a PPE "arsenal" found at a VA hospital, and English as a second language in Sterile Processing. These conversations
12/14/2023
Process This! Episode 99: Time, Temperature & Humidity: Their Effect on Device Soil Drying In episode 99, host Jon Wood speaks with Sue Klacik and Terra Kremer about how time, temperature and humidity affect soil drying on medical devices. They also address challenges associated with weather conditions and the transporting of soiled instruments to Sterile Processing areas.
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12/01/2023
Process This! Episode 98: Meet Monique Jelks, President, HSPA Board of Directors In episode 98, host Jon Wood speaks with HSPA President, Monique Jelks, about her journey into Sterile Processing (SP), her passion for problem solving, process improvement and supporting fellow SP professionals—and how they helped lead her to become President of the HSPA Board of Directors.
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