Beyond Clean Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Built Different - Cap and Gown (and Gloves): SPD Collegiate Programs Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

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

Built Different - Competent to Lead: Building Leaders Before Building Teams Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

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

Confidence in Every Cycle: Reducing Guesswork in Sterilization Monitoring Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

SPD Fact Check - Not All It's Cracked Up to Be: Rethinking the Post-Cycle Door Habit May 25, 2026

Show notes

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

SPD Fact Check - Scope Sterilization Standoff: Steam vs. Low-Temp for Rigid Endoscopes May 18, 2026

Show notes

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

SPD Fact Check - Cupboards, Carts, & Corkboards: Managing Sterile Storage Outside the SPD/OR May 11, 2026

Show notes

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

The Last Black Speck: How One Team Solved the Debris Problem for Good May 06, 2026

Show notes

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

On Pathogens & PPE: Taking the Lead in SPD May 05, 2026

Show notes

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.

SPD Fact Check - Now You See Me: When Borescopes Reveal Dirty Instruments May 04, 2026

Show notes

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

A Speck in Your Eye: Putting an End to the Finger-Pointing Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

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!

A special thanks to our sponsor, Aesculap®, for supporting this podcast series!

#BeyondClean #Aesculap #SterileProcessing #WhatTheSpeck #BlackSpecks #SurgicalTrays #Podcast

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