Beyond Clean Podcast

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Sterilization Standards Unpacked - From Paper to Practice: CSA Standards in Action Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Sterilization standards look a lot different on paper than they do in the middle of a busy clinic day. That gap between policy and practice is the focus of this episode of "Sterilization Standards Unpacked," where host Sarah B. Cruz sits down with Nova Scotia Registered Dental Assistant Melissa Arnold to walk through what CSA-driven workflows actually look like in a typical dental office. From daily BI tests and load logs to cycle printouts, recalls, and patient traceability, Melissa shares how her team turned expectations into consistent habits. If your clinic is trying to move beyond "we've always done it this way," this conversation shows what it really takes to build a safer, more reliable sterilization process.

This 5-part series pulls back the curtain on how Canadian dental teams are translating sterilization standards into real-world practice—one guideline, one cycle, one patient at a time. With each episode, we'll explore the people, processes, and evolving expectations driving dental sterilization forward. It's not about compliance checklists—it's about connection, clarity, and conversations that make the technical feel personal.

A special thanks to our sponsor, Solventum Medical, for supporting this podcast series!

#BeyondClean #Solventum #SterilizationStandardsUnpacked #DentalSterilization #SterileProcessing #CSAStandards #BI #Recall #Sterilization #Workflows

Under Pressure - Full Steam Ahead: A Deep Dive into Steam Sterilizer Anatomy Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

You load trays and hit start on your steam sterilizer dozens of times a day. But do you actually know what's happening inside that chamber once the door closes? This week, we sit down with Jason Simon, Senior Product Manager at Skytron, to break down how steam sterilizers actually work—from air removal and steam jackets to exposure phases and drying cycles. Jason walks us through the critical role utilities play in sterilizer performance, why just buying new equipment won't fix steam quality problems, and what all those numbers on your cycle printouts actually mean. Whether you're troubleshooting persistent wet packs or just want to understand what's happening behind that steel door, this conversation delivers the technical knowledge you need to make smarter sterilizer decisions!

This conversation isn't over! Part 2 with Jason drops next Monday—don't miss 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/episode31-05

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 #Season31 #UnderPressure #SteamSterilization #SteamJackets #SteamExposure #Performance #WetPacks

Sterilization Standards Unpacked - Bioburden, Biofilm, & Beyond: The Science Driving Dental Standards Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

What really happens at the microscopic level when we talk about "clean" in dental sterilization? In this episode of "Sterilization Standards Unpacked," host Sarah B. Cruz is joined by Dr. Atila Nozari, Senior Medical Liaison at Solventum, to connect the science of microbiology with the day-to-day realities of instrument reprocessing in dental practices. From bioburden and biofilm to the evidence behind modern sterilization standards, Dr. Nozari helps demystify the "why" behind the guidelines teams are being asked to follow. Whether you're brushing up on CSA standards or trying to connect policy with practice, this conversation bridges the gap between following a guideline "just because" and understanding the science that stands behind it.

A special thanks to our sponsor, Solventum Medical, for supporting this podcast series!

#BeyondClean #Solventum #SterilizationStandardsUnpacked #DentalSterilization #SterileProcessing #Bioburden #Biofilm #Standards #InstrumentReprocessing

Under Pressure - Heavy Metal: Why Weight Limits Matter in Steam Sterilization Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Weight limits exist for every sterilizer and every tray that goes into it. But what happens when those limits get overlooked in the daily rush? On this episode of Beyond Clean, we sit down with Sterile Processing educator Carol Malone to explore what really drives safe sterilizer loading. From discovering chamber capacity limits you might not know about to creating visual controls that help your team stay compliant, Carol walks us through practical strategies for managing both in-house and vendor tray weights. Whether you're optimizing your current processes or just want to understand how these limits protect patients and your equipment, this conversation delivers the solutions you need to strengthen your sterilization practices!

After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode31-04

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 #Season31 #UnderPressure #SteamSterilization #WeightLimits #SterilizationChamber #SurgicalTrays

Sterilization Standards Unpacked - Small Spaces, Big Standards: Dental Sterilization Across Canada Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Dental clinics may be small, but the expectations for safe, consistent sterilization are anything but. In this episode of "Sterilization Standards Unpacked," Warren Hiller joins us to explore how CSA Z314, Health Canada, and provincial guidelines come together to shape dental reprocessing across provinces. From dental assistants juggling sterilization tasks to the growing requirements for certified MDR techs, Warren shares how standards, competencies, and documentation are changing the game for oral surgery and dental teams alike. If your team is trying to keep up with evolving standards while still getting through the day's busy schedule, this episode gives you the insight and direction to take your next step with confidence!

A special thanks to our sponsor, Solventum Medical, for supporting this podcast series!

#BeyondClean #Solventum #SterilizationStandardsUnpacked #DentalSterilization #SterileProcessing #Documentation #DentalTeams #MDRTech #Competency

Under Pressure - The Rust Stops Here: Keeping Stainless Steel Stainless Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Ever wonder why your "stainless" steel instruments keep staining and rusting? On this episode of Beyond Clean, we sit down with metallurgical engineer Michaela Kuba for an inside look at what surgical stainless steel actually is—and what it isn't. Michaela explains why that passivation layer matters and how factors like chlorine exposure, free iron contamination, and water quality can quietly sabotage your instruments over time. From point-of-use treatment that truly supports instrument longevity to why rust can spread from tray to tray, Michaela breaks down the science behind preventing corrosion. Whether you're constantly battling rust and staining or just want to understand what's really happening to your instruments, this conversation delivers the answers you need!

After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode31-03

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 #Season31 #UnderPressure #StainlessSteel #Corrosion #InstrumentStaining #SurgicalInstruments #Rust

Scope of Innovation: Single-Use Solutions for Surgical Success Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Perfect imaging every time. No repairs. No reprocessing. Could single-use arthroscopes be the answer? On this special Beyond Clean, First Case, Power Supply, and Transmission Control Vendor Spotlight™ co-release episode, we're joined by Rich McKillop, CEO of Pristine Surgical, to explore how their Summit™ 4K Single-Use Arthroscope is redefining what efficiency looks like in the OR. Learn how this single-use solution delivers consistent 4K image clarity while eliminating the time, labor, and costs associated with scope reprocessing and repairs. Through smart, cloud-connected technology that delivers real-time data and case analytics, discover how Pristine Surgical can help your department optimize workflows, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes!

Learn more about Pristine Surgical's single-use arthroscopy solutions by visiting pristinesurgical.com. To access the cost savings calculator, schedule a demonstration, or learn more about Pristine Connect®, email info@pristinesurgical.com or follow them on LinkedIn.

Sterilization Standards Unpacked - Where Do We Begin? Making Sense of Canada's Dental Standards Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Feeling overwhelmed by Canada's newest dental sterilization standards? You're not alone. In this kickoff episode of our newest podcast series "Sterilization Standards Unpacked: Navigating Canada's Dental Guidelines," host Sarah B. Cruz takes us back to basics with a clear, practical look at who writes the standards, how they're enforced, and why they don't always look the same from province to province. Along the way, she breaks down the most common points of confusion for dental teams and explains how to begin building a more consistent, compliant approach to reprocessing. If your practice is ready to move from "we think we're compliant" to "we know we are," this episode is the place to start!

A special thanks to our sponsor, Solventum Medical, for supporting this podcast series!

#BeyondClean #Solventum #SterilizationStandardsUnpacked #DentalSterilization #SterileProcessing #Standards #Guidelines #Compliance

Under Pressure - CI, Robot: Computer Vision for Sterility Assurance Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

The dreaded missing indicator—you've trained on it, created systems for it, and yet trays still reach the OR without them. What if technology could catch that mistake before the tray ever leaves your department? On this episode of Beyond Clean, Gregory Warino, Director of Central Sterile Processing at Mercy Health, shares how his team used AI to tackle missing CIs across three facilities. From getting skeptical staff on board to watching the technology actually catch missing indicators before trays leave assembly, Gregory breaks down the real story behind implementing AI in SPD—from what it cost, how long it took, and whether the tech lived up to the hype. If missing indicators are a pain point in your department or you're curious about what AI means for your SPD's workflows, this episode has the answers you need!

After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode31-02

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 #Podcast #Season31 #UnderPressure #Indicator #CIs #Workflows #AI #Technology

Under Pressure - IUSS Has Left the Building: How One SPD Made It to Zero Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

What if your department could go from over 10% immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS) cycles to nearly zero? In the Season 31 premiere of Beyond Clean, we're joined by Monica Anderson, Sterile Processing Manager and the fearless leader of a team that did exactly that. Monica walks us through the real-world strategies her department used to identify every pathway leading to IUSS—and how they systematically shut them down. From leading hands-on education in decontam to building stronger partnerships with the OR, Monica shares how data, trust, and teamwork turned high IUSS numbers into an opportunity for lasting culture and process change. If you're ready to rewrite the story of IUSS in your facility, you don't want to miss this inspiring conversation!

After finishing this podcast episode, earn your 1 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/episode31-01

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 #Podcast #Season31 #UnderPressure #IUSS #SteamSterilization #PatientSafety

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