What You Might Not Know About Your Vendor Rep: Solutions to Issues Reps Face
12/01/2023
What You Might Not Know About Your Vendor Rep: Solutions to Issues Reps Face
Join us for this new Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™  featuring Mark Copeland from 3T Medical, as he shares his insights from 18 years in spine sales and 10 years partnering with Sterile Processing and Operating Room teams from around the US. Mark explains common challenges faced by vendor reps and h
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A Cut Above the Rest: Dangerous Designs in Our Sterile Processing World
11/30/2023
A Cut Above the Rest: Dangerous Designs in Our Sterile Processing World
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch critiques the safety hazards and design flaws with some of our SPD’s most used equipment: "Whether it is the tape dispenser, washer manifold, or some other sharp/hot/slippery corner of our world, until we talk about it, we can’t expect to
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Confident Certification™ Ep. 14 - The Road to Redemption: Navigating Exam Failure
11/28/2023
Confident Certification™ Ep. 14 - The Road to Redemption: Navigating Exam Failure
When your certification journey hits a roadblock, how do you rebound? Join host Sarah B. Cruz on this episode of Confident Certification™ as she navigates the challenging terrain of exam failure and the subsequent retesting process. Discover the importance of emotional processing before jumping back
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Season 14 Rewind - Sterile Storage: An Overview (Sterile Storage Wars)
11/27/2023
Season 14 Rewind - Sterile Storage: An Overview (Sterile Storage Wars)
Please enjoy some of our favorite episodes leading to the launch of Season 23 of Beyond Clean on 1/1/24! How would you describe Sterile Storage to someone fresh off the street? What are those core fundamentals that every Sterile Processing technician, vendor, and visitor needs to know (or remember)
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7 Habits of Highly Effective Sterile Processing Departments
11/23/2023
7 Habits of Highly Effective Sterile Processing Departments
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch identifies the key habits and commitments that set highly effective Sterile Processing departments apart from average ones: “As with all habits, these behaviors and commitments did not mature overnight, and some were years in the making.
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Confident Certification™ Ep. 13 - Finding the Confidence Within: Tips for Being Your Own Motivator
11/21/2023
Confident Certification™ Ep. 13 - Finding the Confidence Within: Tips for Being Your Own Motivator
On this week's episode of Confident Certification™ Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker discuss what it really means to "be your own biggest fan" on the journey toward certification. They talk about celebrating small wins and milestones, finding motivation in purpose, and leaning into a growth mindset whe
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All Things Considered: The Big Picture of SPD Consumables
11/20/2023
All Things Considered: The Big Picture of SPD Consumables
Join us this week as we wrap up Season 22 "All 'Bout Consumables" with guest Robby Miller, Manager of Sterile Processing at Dignity Health's St. Joseph's Hospital, sharing his strategies for managing consumables at a high level. Robby shares tips on stewarding department resources through education,
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Confident Certification™ Ep. 12 - Who Has Your Back?: The Power of Motivation & Community
11/14/2023
Confident Certification™ Ep. 12 - Who Has Your Back?: The Power of Motivation & Community
Who's got your back on the road to certification? Why does it matter? On this week's edition of Confident Certification™, host Sarah B. Cruz talks about the importance of finding a supportive community when pursuing your certification goals. Tune in to hear key tips on how to build your network, con
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Still Sticking Around: Thinking Through Residual Protein
11/13/2023
Still Sticking Around: Thinking Through Residual Protein
Join us this week on Beyond Clean as we chat with Rory Burke, Lead Medical Supply Technician and member of the Beyond Clean Advisory Group, about consumables such as protein residue testing tools in Sterile Processing. On this episode, we discuss the differences between ATP and protein methods, work
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5 Reasons Why the Great Resignation Could Be Great for Your Sterile Processing Career
11/09/2023
5 Reasons Why the Great Resignation Could Be Great for Your Sterile Processing Career
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses the career advancement opportunities the "Great Resignation" presented for Sterile Processing professionals: -- "If you are willing to stick with your current employer through this season of employment upheaval, you position you
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Confident Certification™ Ep.11 - Building Your Own Certification Study Plan
11/07/2023
Confident Certification™ Ep.11 - Building Your Own Certification Study Plan
Are you that brave, adventurous type of Sterile Processing technician? Do you prefer to go your own pace, and set your own goals? Then self-study for the certification exam may be for you! Join hosts Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker on this episode of Confident Certification™ as they provide tips for
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The Wide World of Wrap: Working in a Sea of Blue Polyproplene
11/06/2023
The Wide World of Wrap: Working in a Sea of Blue Polyproplene
What's blue and has flaps? A bluebird. What's blue and can be folded? Blue jeans! What's blue and can save lives? Now THAT's a good question. Join us for this episode of Season 22, featuring Sterile Processing Educator and member of the Beyond Clean Advisory Group Sean Weir, as he joins us to discus
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“But the Rep Said…”: Who to Listen to and Why It Matters for Your Sterile Processing Team
11/02/2023
“But the Rep Said…”: Who to Listen to and Why It Matters for Your Sterile Processing Team
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses why IFUs, not sales reps, should be trusted when it comes to instrument reprocessing: -- “…it is imperative that we build a culture and expectation among our team that we welcome rep-based education, but always take everything w
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Confident Certification™ Ep. 10 - Quality Over Quantity: Customizing Your Study Schedule
10/31/2023
Confident Certification™ Ep. 10 - Quality Over Quantity: Customizing Your Study Schedule
Tired of staring at the same textbook page for hours? On this week's episode of Confident Certification™, Sarah B. Cruz feels your study pain and is dishing out tips to make every minute of certification prep count! Find your prime study spot - whether it's noisy or quiet, solo or in a group. Learn
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Passing the Clean Test? The Variables of Verification
10/30/2023
Passing the Clean Test? The Variables of Verification
Clean? Really Clean? Just a Dream? What does "Clean" even mean? Join us for this week's new release from Season 22 on Beyond Clean, featuring Pawel de Sternberg Stojalowski, an expert in decontamination science and cleaning verification fanatic! We pitch Pawel some of the most important questions re
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Present and Accounted For: Building a Department Culture Where Showing Up Matters
10/26/2023
Present and Accounted For: Building a Department Culture Where Showing Up Matters
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses the impact that attendance and tardiness can have on a department: -- "If the shift start time is seen as an option, and the end of the tardy grace period is seen as the real start time, then leaders and co-workers are handcuffe
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Confident Certification™ Ep. 9 - Bullet Points Over Blah Blah: Note-Taking Tips for Test Prep
10/24/2023
Confident Certification™ Ep. 9 - Bullet Points Over Blah Blah: Note-Taking Tips for Test Prep
Sharpen those pencils and grab your favorite highlighter because this week's Confident Certification™ podcast is a back-to-basics guide to note-taking for your certification success! 📝 Sarah B. Cruz gets real about why writing it down matters when you're prepping for your exam. From bulleting key co
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Before You Say I Know: Breaking Down BIs
10/23/2023
Before You Say I Know: Breaking Down BIs
You won't want to miss this week's jam-packed episode of Beyond Clean - as we get hyped about biological indicators (BIs) with the one and only Adam Okada! Tune in for all the #CleanFreak facts about BI spores and essential tips for proper testing in your Sterile Processing department. In this inter
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Think Fast: What the Sterile Processing Industry Can Learn from a Fast Food Giant
10/19/2023
Think Fast: What the Sterile Processing Industry Can Learn from a Fast Food Giant
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch discusses lessons healthcare can learn from the fast food industry, including how to handle compensation -- "As wages increase in other industries, it puts a dramatic squeeze on current SPD staff retention and shrinks the available applic
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Confident Certification™ Ep. 8 - All About that Book: The Power Of Literature for Certification Success
10/17/2023
Confident Certification™ Ep. 8 - All About that Book: The Power Of Literature for Certification Success
If you want to PASS your Sterile Processing certification exam, you're NOT going to want to miss this week's Confident Certification™ podcast release! 📚 Sarah B. Cruz and Bobby Parker get REAL about why you've absolutely gotta crack open that textbook for certification success. They'll be diving int
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Beyond the Bristle: A Little Brush Makes a Big Difference
10/16/2023
Beyond the Bristle: A Little Brush Makes a Big Difference
"If there's a hole, brush it." That's the brushing philosophy of Carol Malone, AAB, CSPDT, CRCST, CIS, CHL Supervisor, Sterile Processing Education at UH Hospitals as she joins this episode of Beyond Clean to share her wealth of expertise on all things Sterile Processing brushes. Discover right and
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(Not) Gone Like a “Flash”: 5 Years Later in the IUSS Debate and We’re Still Confused
10/12/2023
(Not) Gone Like a “Flash”: 5 Years Later in the IUSS Debate and We’re Still Confused
In this CE-approved episode of Articles On-The-Go, Hank Balch highlights a curious bit of lingering vocabulary that won't seem to go away  -- "Yes, the processes of rinsing something in a scrub sink then popping it into an autoclave has almost universally ended (thankfully). But the language of flas
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Confident Certification™ Ep. 7 - Mastering Effective Test Taking Skills
10/10/2023
Confident Certification™ Ep. 7 - Mastering Effective Test Taking Skills
Taking tests can be stressful, but with the right strategies you CAN build your confidence. In this week's episode of Confident Certification™ with Sarah B. Cruz, we discuss managing uncertainty, active guessing, and the process of elimination when sitting for your Sterile Processing certification e
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Colors, Changes, & Chemicals: A Conversation on CIs
10/09/2023
Colors, Changes, & Chemicals: A Conversation on CIs
Get ready to go Beyond Clean and dive deep into all things chemical indicators on this week's new release! 🧪👩‍🔬 Breanna Paul, member of the Beyond Clean Advisory Group, joins us to share her expertise and insights about types of indicators, proper use, troubleshooting issues, and best practices for
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