Archives: Episode

The pace may be different, but the goal is exactly the same: delivering safe surgical care. In this week’s special season co-release episode, we talk with Carlene Smith about what surgical site infection prevention looks like in ambulatory surgery centers. As someone who’s worked in Sterile Processing, Infection Prevention, and the OR, Carlene shares her…

Could the biggest opportunities to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) be the ones you’ve stopped noticing? In this week’s special season co-release episode, Garrett Hollembeak sits down with Crystal Heishman for a conversation about seeing SSI prevention through a different lens. With experience spanning Infection Prevention, Sterile Processing, and the Operating Room, Crystal shares how…

What keeps you up at night when it comes to preventing surgical site infections (SSIs)? In this week’s special season co-release episode, Jeremy Gibson-Roark returns to join hosts Garrett Hollembeak and Lindsey Joyce for a conversation about moving from reactive investigations to proactive prevention. Together, they explore why infection prevention plans should be living documents,…

Why is it so difficult to trace a surgical site infection (SSI) back to one clear cause? On this special season co-release episode of First Case and Transmission Control, hosts Garrett Hollembeak and Lindsey Joyce are joined by Jeremy Gibson-Roark for an honest conversation about what really happens when an SSI investigation begins. Together, they…

Every great podcast has a voice that brings each conversation to life. Over the past five years, Melanie Perry has been that voice for First Case. In this special release episode of the First Case Podcast, we celebrate Melanie’s incredible journey as host, reflecting on the stories, guests, and moments that made this podcast such…

Even the best systems have moments when things go wrong. What matters most is how we respond. In the Season 19 finale of Sterile Processing 101, Jen Parrott returns to discuss what happens when things go wrong like wet packs, missing instruments, failed indicators, delays, and breakdowns in the process. This episode is a powerful…

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…

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…

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…

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…