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
More from Beyond Clean Podcast
Fully staffed and a waitlist of great candidates ready to go? For many Sterile Processing leaders, that sounds almost too good to be true. In this episode of "Lead with Confidence," Surgical Solutions' Erin Neblett tackles one of the biggest challenges facing SPD leaders: finding, hiring, and retaining the right people. From tapping into overlooked talent pools and recognizing transferable skills to conducting more effective interviews and creating an onboarding experience that sets new hires up for success from day one, Erin offers a fresh approach to building your Sterile Processing team. Ready to stop waiting for the perfect candidate to appear and start creating a stronger talent pipeline? Tune in now for practical ideas that can help you spend less time worrying about vacancies and more time building a team people want to join and stay with. After finishing this interview, earn your 0.5 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/leadwithconfidence-ep4 This five-part series explores what it takes to lead Sterile Processing and perioperative teams with clarity and confidence. From building stronger partnerships and making data-informed decisions to hiring the right people and communicating your department's value to the C-suite, we'll share practical insights for anyone looking to grow in leadership. A special thanks to our sponsor, Surgical Solutions, for supporting this podcast series! #BeyondClean #SurgicalSolutions #SterileProcessing #Perioperative #Leadership #SPDLeadership #LeadwithConfidence #Podcast
You've been promoted. Congratulations! But what happens when the people you worked beside yesterday are suddenly looking to you for answers today? In this episode of "Lead with Confidence," Brian Ascencio from Surgical Solutions gets real about the challenges of making the leap from technician to first-time Sterile Processing leader. Brian shares key lessons on navigating new boundaries, setting clear expectations, juggling priorities, building trust, and staying calm when the pressure is on, all to help new leaders find their footing in that critical first year. If your new title has you wondering whether you're really ready to lead, press play for a confidence boost and a quick-start guide to becoming a leader your team can trust! After finishing this interview, earn your 0.5 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/leadwithconfidence-ep3 This five-part series explores what it takes to lead Sterile Processing and perioperative teams with clarity and confidence. From building stronger partnerships and making data-informed decisions to hiring the right people and communicating your department's value to the C-suite, we'll share practical insights for anyone looking to grow in leadership. A special thanks to our sponsor, Surgical Solutions, for supporting this podcast series! #BeyondClean #SurgicalSolutions #SterileProcessing #Perioperative #Leadership #SPDLeadership #LeadwithConfidence #Podcast
Trays are piling up. Staffing is stretched thin. Quality issues keep popping up. When everything feels urgent, how do you know what to tackle first? In this episode of "Lead with Confidence," Betty Casey from Surgical Solutions breaks down how data can help Sterile Processing leaders cut through the noise and make more confident, informed decisions. Whether it's tracking tray backlogs, improving scanning compliance, identifying workflow gaps, or getting your team invested in the numbers, Betty explains how the data you're already collecting can uncover what's really happening in your department. If you're tired of guessing which problem to tackle next, discover how letting the data tell the story can help bring your path forward into focus. After finishing this interview, earn your 0.5 CE credit by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/leadwithconfidence-ep2 This five-part series explores what it takes to lead Sterile Processing and perioperative teams with clarity and confidence. From building stronger partnerships and making data-informed decisions to hiring the right people and communicating your department's value to the C-suite, we'll share practical insights for anyone looking to grow in leadership. A special thanks to our sponsor, Surgical Solutions, for supporting this podcast series! #BeyondClean #SurgicalSolutions #SterileProcessing #Perioperative #Leadership #SPDLeadership #LeadwithConfidence #Podcast
Everyone wants safer patient care, smoother workflows, and stronger teams. So why can it still feel like the OR, Sterile Processing, and industry partners are working in completely different directions? In Episode 1 of our brand-new podcast series, "Lead with Confidence," host Bobby Parker welcomes Kirk Leonardelli, CEO of Surgical Solutions, to discuss what it takes to turn separate priorities into shared progress. From navigating staffing and turnover challenges to reducing finger-pointing and building greater accountability across the perioperative environment, Kirk shares why the strongest solutions often begin with better collaboration. Ready to leave the silos behind? Tune in and discover what teams can accomplish when everyone starts moving in the same direction. This five-part series explores what it takes to lead Sterile Processing and perioperative teams with clarity and confidence. From building stronger partnerships and making data-informed decisions to hiring the right people and communicating your department's value to the C-suite, we'll share practical insights for anyone looking to grow in leadership. A special thanks to our sponsor, Surgical Solutions, for supporting this podcast series! #BeyondClean #SurgicalSolutions #SterileProcessing #Perioperative #Leadership #SPDLeadership #LeadwithConfidence #Podcast
How do you disinfect what you can't immerse? In this Beyond Clean special release podcast episode, recorded LIVE at HSPA 2026, Garrett Hollembeak joins STERIS's Karen Owens and Bianca Paskert to explore the growing challenges of cleaning complex, battery-powered, and electronic devices. Together, they'll break down where variability creeps in, why workarounds create hidden risks, and what leaders need to understand when standard processes don't always apply. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of how to approach these devices more effectively in your SPD. Tune in today! This in-booth podcast recording is sponsored by STERIS and is powered by Beyond Clean. After finishing this interview, earn your 0.5 CE credit immediately by passing the short quiz linked here: https://www.flexiquiz.com/SC/N/steris-complexdevices #BeyondClean #STERIS #HSPA2026 #Podcast #SterileProcessing #ComplexDevices