First Case Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Sterile Processing 101: Storage, Shelf Life, and Event-Related Sterility May 18, 2026

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How much thought do we really give to packaging… until something goes wrong?

In today's interview, we explore the often-overlooked world of storage, shelf life, and event-related sterility with Malinda Elammari, CEO of Crown Point Consulting.

From blue wrap and rigid containers to peel packs and transport practices, this episode breaks down why packaging is far more than a wrapper. In reality, it's a critical part of protecting sterility and patient safety. Listen now and discover why packaging matters!

#operatingroom #sterileprocessing #ornurse #scrubtech

Sterile Processing 101: Reading the Tray - Indicators, Tape, Filters, and What They Actually Mean May 11, 2026

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How do you know the tray you just opened is truly ready for your patient?

In Episode 6 of Sterile Processing 101, we sit down with Adam Okada to take a closer look at the indicators, tape, filters, and packaging features that communicate critical sterility information before instruments ever reach the field. Join us as we discuss what these indicators do, what they don't tell us, and why the OR team is the final line of defense before those instruments are used on a patient.

#operatingroom #sterileprocessing #ornurse #scrubtech

Sterile Processing 101: Sterilization Methods Explained - Steam, Low-Temp, & IUSS May 04, 2026

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In this week's episode, we take a practical look at the science behind sterilization with Bobby Parker from Beyond Clean. From steam cycles to low-temperature, this episode breaks down the different ways instruments are processed and discusses why each method matters.

You're also going to gain a clearer understanding of indicators, sterility assurance, and why sterilization takes more time than many realize. But the more we understand the process, the better we can support patient safety and workflow efficiency.

#operatingroom #sterileprocessing #ornurse #scrubtech

Sterile Processing 101: Inspection & Assembly - The Art of Building a Reliable Tray Apr 27, 2026

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How reliable is the tray you open every day?

In today's episode, we step into inspection and assembly where cleaned instruments are tested, examined, and built into the trays your OR depends on.

This conversation with Kevin Anderson highlights why tray assembly is about far more than checking off a count sheet. From instrument function testing and damaged equipment to borescopes, insulation testing, and missing items, this episode reveals the science behind building a dependable tray.

Listen now and gain a new appreciation for the work that happens before the tray reaches your back table.

#operatingroom #nurse #scrubtech #sterileprocessing

Sterile Processing 101: Decontam Deep Dive - What Happens After The Case Cart Leaves the Room Apr 20, 2026

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What really happens after your case cart leaves the OR?

To find out, we're diving into decontam to discover the critical next step in the instrument reprocessing lifecycle. From point-of-use treatment to manual and mechanical cleaning, this episode unpacks what it actually takes to get instruments safe, clean, and ready for the next patient.

Joined by Julie Gorog, OR nurse and Clinical Education Consultant with Advanced Sterilization Products, we explore why cleaning is the most crucial step in reprocessing, how biofilm forms faster than you think, and what OR teams can do to set sterile processing up for success.

Because what happens after the case directly impacts the next one. So tune in to learn more!

#operatingroom #ornurse #scrubtech #sterileprocessing

Sterile Processing 101: Point of Use Treatment - The OR's Role in Sterile Processing Apr 13, 2026

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What happens to your instruments during the case matters more than you think.

In this interview with Mike Matthews, we break down point-of-use treatment and why sterile processing actually starts in the OR, not decontam.

From biofilm risk to instrument damage, this episode highlights how small actions during a case have big downstream consequences.

This episode challenges the "not my problem" mindset and reinforces a critical truth: 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁-𝗼𝗳-𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 - 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹.

#operatingroom #ornurse #sterileprocessing #scrubtech

Sterile Processing 101: From Dirty to Sterile - The Instrument Reprocessing Lifecycle Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to a new season of the First Case podcast - Sterile Processing 101! We're kicking off the season with a conversation that sets the foundation for the entire series and challenges a big misconception:

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗺… 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗥.

In this conversation with Jen Parrott, we introduce the full instrument reprocessing lifecycle and explore why understanding this process is essential for every OR nurse, and how it affects everything from patient safety to workflow efficiency.

Tune in to the premiere and start seeing the bigger picture!

#operatingroom #ornurse #scrubtech #podcast #sterileprocessing

The Hidden World of Biofilm: Exploring the Dangers Lurking in our Instruments Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

What do the plaque on your teeth, soap scum, and slippery rocks down by the creek all have in common? They're all examples of biofilm! But these aren't the only places that biolfims can form – they can also be found on our surgical instruments and inside our bodies. Joining us today to talk about all things biofilm is Mike Matthews, Director of Customer Education at Agiliti. In this interview, we'll discover how biofilm forms, the ways in which it can cause infection, and what we can do in the Operating Room to help prevent it. Stay tuned!

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#operatingroom #surgery #podcast #perioperative #infectionprevention #safesurgery #biofilm

Top 10: General Surgery Mar 25, 2026

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General surgery is where many perioperative nurses begin their OR journey. It's one of the most diverse and foundational specialties in the operating room, touching everything from colorectal and thyroid cases to breast, abdominal, and head & neck procedures.

In this First Case Articles-On-The-Go, Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR breaks down the Top 10 things OR teams should know about general surgery - from being ready to convert laparoscopic cases to open, to understanding patient positioning, implants, ERAS protocols, hemostatic agents, and proper drain management.

Whether you're new to the OR or just need a refresher, this episode highlights why versatility, preparation, and attention to detail are essential in one of surgery's broadest specialties.

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Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights from written articles in a creative, easy to listen, audio format. Think audio book, meets busy Operating Room professional!

#operatingroom #generalsurgery #ornurse #nurse #scrubtech

Microbes in Motion: Understanding Pathogen Transfer & Environmental Contamination Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

How long can pathogens live on a surface? What is the likelihood that we are transferring organisms from surfaces we touch to our patients or to our family members? Joining us today to discuss microbiology and infection prevention is Dr. Wava Truscott, Director of Regulatory Affairs and clinical Education at Shield Technology, Inc. Learn with us as Wava discusses environmental contamination, pathogens that we see in our hospitals, disinfectants, and small colony variants. Don't miss this interview!

#operatingroom #surgery #podcast #perioperative #infectionprevention #safesurgery

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