Clock in, scrub up, and join us behind the red line. We are First Case – an operating room podcast bringing you exciting interviews, engaging discussions, and innovative solutions that are changing the way patients receive surgical care. Each episode we talk to frontline staff, perioperative leadership, and nursing entrepreneurs from across the country as they share their stories, experience and expertise on an industry we love. From the back table to the board room, from wheels in to wheels ...
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Operatingroom Podcasts
Even though their tools and equipment touch nearly every surgical patient in the world, how much do you really know about the people, processes, and products used in the Sterile Processing industry? Beyond Clean offers a creative look into the inner workings of a healthcare industry surrounded by challenges, disrupted by change, and committed to getting it right -- every instrument, every time. The team at Beyond Clean will bring on some of the biggest names in surgical instrument reprocessi ...
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Tray Command - Thank You for Calling SPD: Long Live Customer Service
38:49
38:49
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38:49What if the biggest game-changer for your Sterile Processing department wasn’t a new piece of equipment—but a new approach to customer service? In this Season 30 premiere episode of Beyond Clean’s “Tray Command,” we’re kicking things off with a familiar voice: Beyond Clean’s Hank Balch, returning to the studio for a powerful conversation on custome…
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Covering Back Tables: Myths, Risks, & Best Practices
31:53
31:53
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31:53“You can’t cover your back table!” or can you? 🤔 For years, many of us were taught that covering a back table was never allowed. But AST and AORN guidelines say otherwise, as long as it’s done correctly. Join Melanie Perry and Chris Blevins as they kick off a brand-new season of First Case by busting this long-standing myth. They’ll dive into when …
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Discover A Surgeon's Compassion Beyond the OR
4:13
4:13
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4:13Surgeons are often seen as unshakable figures in the OR, but behind the scalpel lies a human story of triumphs, challenges, and compassion. In today's Articles on the Go, Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, reviews Brain and Heart: The Triumphs and Struggles of a Pediatric Neurosurgeon by Dr. David Sandberg. From high-stakes neurosurgeries to medical mis…
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Non-Stop Compliance: Staying Ahead of Industry Standards with Best Practices and Assessments
56:45
56:45
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56:45Compliance doesn't have to be complicated! In this Beyond Clean special release podcast episode, recorded LIVE at HSPA 2025, Jill Holdsworth, Richard Bancroft, and Hank Balch reveal how tracking systems, competency management, and strategic assessments can take your department from "checking the boxes" to becoming a compliance powerhouse. Whether y…
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Speaking Up: Confronting Bullying in the Operating Room
39:58
39:58
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39:58Have you experienced bullying in your department? Whether you’ve witnessed it or experienced it personally, bullying is very common in nursing and in the operating room, unfortunately. Joining us today to talk about this all-too-common topic are Andrea Dyer, Training Manager, and Sarah Griffin, Perioperative Clinical Coordinator, for the Satellite …
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Beyond Clean Canada: Bioburden & Beyond: Global Insights in Sterile Processing
28:52
28:52
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28:52What do borders, bioburden, and best practices have in common? According to René Vis, they all impact how we #FightDirty around the world. In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we’re joined by René Vis, International Product Line Manager for Steam Sterilizers at Steelco, to explore the global fight against infection—and why understanding the “why…
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Sustaining Sterile Processing Success: Building a Legacy of Crowning Achievements
57:53
57:53
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57:53Successful Sterile Processing departments don't happen by accident—they’re built through intentional leadership, strategic planning, and strong professional networks. In this Beyond Clean special podcast release episode, recorded LIVE at HSPA 2025, Yves Theodule, Karen Owens, and Hank Balch share their journeys and insights on developing SPD talent…
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Empowering Pediatric Patients: Nurturing Positive Surgical Experiences
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32:28
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32:28How can we help children have a positive surgical experience? What role does anticipatory guidance play in helping kids understand the procedure they’re going to have? Joining us today to help us better understand how to communicate with children is Erica Basora, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNOR, Clinical Specialist at Northside Hospital. We’ll discuss the di…
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Beyond Clean Canada: The Pod That Changed the Process: Efficiency, Ergonomics & Innovation
29:57
29:57
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29:57What if one device could change everything about how we process surgical instruments? In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we welcome Robert Turbett, Co-Founder of Turbett Surgical, to share the story behind the Instrument Pod—a rigid container system that’s redefining efficiency, safety, and sustainability in Sterile Processing. Rob shares how …
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Breaking the Language Barrier: Effective Communication with Spanish-Speaking Patients
49:19
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49:19When you have a Spanish-speaking patient, do you know how to communicate with them? Can you ask them basic questions, or do you freeze up and hope you can find someone who speaks Spanish who can help you out? In today’s episode we’re discussing the importance of communicating with Spanish-speaking patients with Meghan Codd, Spanish communication co…
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Up for Change: Renovations, Centralization, and New Department Solutions
57:00
57:00
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57:00Is your SPD facing a major renovation? Join Jenny Bennett, Mark Munroe, and Bobby Parker in this Beyond Clean special podcast release episode, recorded LIVE at HSPA 2025, for your ultimate survival guide to department transformations you won’t want to miss. Our renovation veterans will share real-world strategies for maintaining operations during c…
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Cut the Clutter: Rethinking Vendor Tray Efficiency with EZ-TRAX™
37:44
37:44
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37:44Fewer trays. Better workflows. Could it really be that simple? On this Beyond Clean Vendor Spotlight™, Kyle Kemp, National Director of Business Development at ONE TRAY®/IST, shares how healthcare facilities are reducing vendor tray volumes without compromising surgical case integrity. From streamlining orthopedic sets to massive savings in time, sp…
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Beyond Clean Canada: Breaking the Mold: Insights & Innovation from the Frontline
35:09
35:09
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35:09Get ready to stir that pot, #CanadianCleanFreaks—because Jessie Lopez is joining the conversation to shake things up! On this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, Stacey and Barry sit down with Jessie to unpack his journey from veterinary tech to surgical tech to one of the most outspoken voices in Sterile Processing. Jessie pulls back the curtain on th…
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The Joplin Tornado: My Near Miss Experience
10:16
10:16
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10:16In 2011, an EF5 tornado ripped through Joplin, Missouri, destroying St. John’s Regional Medical Center and claiming 158 lives. Lindsey Joyce narrowly missed being there that day, and now she’s sharing her story, along with five critical tornado preparedness tips every OR team should know. ----- Articles On-the-Go presents perioperative insights fro…
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ASC Answers! Scaling Reprocessing Excellence Amidst Complexity
1:00:01
1:00:01
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1:00:01Calling all #CleanFreaks! Is your SPD keeping pace with your ASC’s rising surgical volumes? In this Beyond Clean special podcast release episode, recorded LIVE at HSPA 2025, Madeleine Lamont, Dawn Pfeiffer, and Bobby Parker dive into real-world solutions for your ASC’s biggest challenges. From staffing realities and space constraints to managing gr…
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The Power of Communication: Unlocking Success in the Operating Room
38:33
38:33
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38:33What is the secret to happiness? The answer, according to Dr. Michael Redler, Orthopedic Surgeon at Connecticut Orthopedics, is great communication. Communicating effectively sets the tone for our whole day in the Operating Room. Do we have the supplies needed for a case? Did the right grafts or implants get brought in? Was everyone in the room tre…
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Beyond Clean Canada: From Burnout to Breakthrough: Passion, Purpose, & the Power of Podcasting
33:14
33:14
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33:14What happens when burnout meets a breakthrough? In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we’re joined by veteran Sterile Processing professional and host of the ‘Sterilization Station’ podcast, Bill Rishell, for a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose through a career in Sterile Processing. From sneaking onto his f…
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Cracking the Communication Code: Optimizing OR-Supply Chain Collaboration
43:17
43:17
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43:17“It’s on backorder.” How many times have you heard that answer when you asked why a needed supply wasn’t on the shelf? Wouldn’t it be better if your team knew ahead of time that items weren’t available, and they knew what steps were already being taken to resolve the issue? In today’s interview with Suzi Collins, Market Director of Supply Chain at …
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We’ve all heard it: “Nursing is a calling.” It sounds noble, but this romanticized language has a hidden price. It can normalize burnout, justify unsafe staffing, and excuse inadequate pay, all under the guise of dedication. In this eye-opening episode, Melanie Perry, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, challenges the “calling” narrative and makes a case for reco…
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Beyond Clean Canada: Better by Design: Ergonomics, Innovation, & the Future of MDR
31:15
31:15
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31:15What if your department’s sinks were built with you—and your workflows—in mind? In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we’re joined by Doug Brown from Torvan Medical to explore how smarter design is solving everyday pain points in decontam workspaces. From beveled-edge sinks that help reduce wrist, shoulder, and back fatigue to the latest in autom…
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It’s the Season 16 finale of First Case! We're wrapping up the season with a conversation you don’t want to miss. We sit down with Matt Lowe, Clinical Programs Director for SSIs at Medline, to explore how we can make OR education engaging, relevant, and effective. From gamification and escape-room style learning to the vital role of unit champions,…
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Planet Assembly - Don’t Fear the Repair: Empowering SPD Assembly to Act Early
34:49
34:49
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34:49What does your repair bin say about your department’s inspection process? This week, we sit down with Joseph Martin, Sterile Processing Manager at UCHealth, to talk about building a culture of repair in assembly. With over a decade of SPD experience as a technician, educator, and leader, Joseph shares how shifting repair from reaction to prevention…
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On this episode of StreetClothes, we speak with a clinician with a passion for chasing waves and finding rhythm in the ocean’s tide. From early-morning paddles to the rush of a perfect swell, this surfer blends patience, balance, and energy into every ride. Tune in to hear how Eric Price paddles past the daily grind and chases the thrill of the wav…
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On this episode of StreetClothes, we speak with a clinician with a passion for chasing waves and finding rhythm in the ocean’s tide. From early-morning paddles to the rush of a perfect swell, this surfer blends patience, balance, and energy into every ride. Tune in to hear how Eric Price paddles past the daily grind and chases the thrill of the wav…
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Beyond Clean Canada - Confidence, Certification, & the Future of SPD
32:06
32:06
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32:06What do confidence, certification, and career growth have in common? According to Sarah B. Cruz, just about everything! On this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, she joins Stacey and Barry for a conversation that’s all about leadership, growth, and the future of the profession. As founder of PreceptCo, Sarah shares her journey from frontline tech to …
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Planet Assembly - What You Can't See CAN Hurt You: Inside the Lumens 2.0 Study
35:39
35:39
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35:39What happens when you take a closer look inside your lumened instruments? According to the Unseen Threats: Lumens 2.0 study, every instrument told the same story: 100% contamination. On this episode of Beyond Clean, study co-author Brandon Gantt reveals what his team found hiding inside devices once believed to be clean. Rust, residues, and debris …
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How Do I... Understand the AORN Guidelines?
40:46
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40:46Behind every AORN Guideline is a team of experts, years of research, and a commitment to safe, evidence-based perioperative care. In this week’s interview, we sit down with Erin Kyle, Editor-in-Chief of the AORN Guidelines for Perioperative Practice, to uncover exactly how these guidelines are created, vetted, and implemented. Erin takes us inside …
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Beyond Clean Canada: Steam, Pipes, & Patient Safety: Water Quality Explained
26:38
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26:38Water, water everywhere—but is it safe for sterilization? In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we’re joined by water-quality expert Jeffrey Paquet, President and CEO of VERDA™ Water Quality Systems, to reveal what’s hiding in your SPD’s pipes, what it means for patient safety, and how new standards are changing the way facilities think about wat…
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Remember playing telephone as a kid? We always laughed with when the message got mixed up. But in the OR, miscommunication can change everything, and even lead to cancelled surgeries or patient safety issues. In this episode, Lindsay Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, shares a real-life call-back story that turned into a powerful lesson on why “closing the loop…
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Are you preparing for the CNOR exam, or helping others get ready? This week we’re joined by Wendy Zander, founder of Zander Perioperative Education, to share expert insight on how to approach CNOR certification with confidence. From study tips and testing strategies to understanding learning styles and building long-term retention, Wendy breaks it …
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Planet Assembly - Tunes in the Trenches: Is Music An Essential Part of SPD Assembly?
36:00
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36:00Earbuds, the radio, or silence on the floor—every SPD has its own beat. What’s yours? On this episode of Beyond Clean’s Planet Assembly, we’re joined by SPD veterans Elizabeth Bell and Tracy Raymond for a friendly but passionate debate over one of the most talked-about topics in our industry: music in assembly! This duo shares how their contrasting…
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On this episode of StreetClothes, we speak with a healthcare professional whose passion for style and connection comes to life behind the salon chair. From precision cuts to perfect color blends, this licensed cosmetologist blends artistry and care into every look she creates. Tune in to hear how Dr. Raynetta Stansil brings her signature style to h…
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On this episode of StreetClothes, we speak with a healthcare professional whose passion for style and connection comes to life behind the salon chair. From precision cuts to perfect color blends, this licensed cosmetologist blends artistry and care into every look she creates. Tune in to hear how Dr.Raynetta Stansil brings her signature style to he…
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Beyond Clean Canada: Sealing the Standard: Containers, Compliance & What Comes Next
33:15
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33:15Welcome back, #CanadianCleanFreaks! We’re kicking off Season 2 with a deep dive into rigid containers—and the standards that keep contamination out and surgical trays in play. In this episode of Beyond Clean Canada, we’re joined by Derek McLennan from Trudell Healthcare Solutions to unpack the realities of container use across the country. From sus…
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Planet Assembly - Proof in the Process: How One SPD Cut Tray Errors with Audits
35:58
35:58
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35:58Every SPD tech knows the feeling: the tray wasn’t right, and now everything’s running behind. But what if one small check could stop the chaos before it begins? On this episode of Beyond Clean’s Planet Assembly, we’re joined by Dr. Timothy Hurtado and Tori Ruiz, the dynamic duo behind the first-place HSPA poster presentation that tackled tray defec…
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Death a heavy topic, and one we don’t talk about nearly enough. In this episode, Lindsey Joyce, CVOR nurse and First Case content creator shares her firsthand experiences with patient death in the operating room. From the emotional toll of trauma cases to the quiet aftermath of organ procurement, she offers insight, compassion, and practical advice…
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Are you preparing for the CST exam or supporting someone who is? This week, we’re joined by Michelle Payne, President of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), for an in-depth look at what it takes to succeed. Join us as Michelle breaks down what the CST exam really measures and how the questions are developed. W…
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Planet Assembly - That’s a Wrap! The Science & Practice of Surgical Wrap
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33:05Tears, holes, and mystery micro-leaks—if wrap issues are slowing down your workflows, it might be time to understand what's really going on with your surgical wrap. On this episode of Beyond Clean’s Planet Assembly, Sade Brown, PhD, Research & Development Engineer at Owens & Minor, breaks down the science, design, and vulnerabilities that could be …
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On this episode of StreetClothes, we speak with a clinician with a passion for serving up something smooth, stirred, and served straight up with a twist. From experimenting with unexpected ingredients to selecting the perfect glassware, this mixologist blends flavor and creativity into every cocktail she creates. Tune in to hear how Lindsey Joyce s…
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On this episode of StreetClothes, we speak with a clinician with a passion for serving up something smooth, stirred, and served straight up with a twist. From experimenting with unexpected ingredients to selecting the perfect glassware, this mixologist blends flavor and creativity into every cocktail she creates. Tune in to hear how Lindsey Joyce s…
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Don't Stop the Block: Transforming Pain Management with Regional Anesthesia
6:27
6:27
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6:27Surgery shouldn’t be a gateway to opioid addiction. In this First Case Articles on the Go episode, we explore how regional anesthesia and nerve blocks are transforming pain management, reducing opioid use, and improving surgical recovery. Listen now and find out why perioperative blocks are so important and how they're improving patient care. -----…
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Planet Assembly - Counting on Accuracy: The Power of a Well-Built Count Sheet
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36:14
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36:14Why do some trays come together like a perfect puzzle, while others feel like a never-ending scavenger hunt for missing instruments? This week, we're joined by Jake McHugh, Clinical Education and Training Specialist with Agiliti, to dive deep into how count sheets can make or break your assembly workflows. From the frustration of vague descriptions…
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Learning how to scrub isn’t as simple as just watching a few cases and picking it up as you go—at least, not if we’re committed to keeping our patients safe. In this week’s episode of First Case, we dive into the complexities of learning to scrub, whether you’re starting from scratch in a formal surgical tech program, getting on-the-job training, o…
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Planet Assembly - Fast Track or Fault Line? Balancing Assembly Velocity with Vigilance
36:23
36:23
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36:23Which is more important in assembly: speed or safety? Quality or quantity? On this episode of Beyond Clean’s Planet Assembly, we sit down with Lindell Handy, a seasoned Sterile Processing traveler who's just about seen it all. From crushing productivity demands to stepping into departments with a whole different set of pressures, Lindell breaks dow…
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How Do I... Engage Surgeons & Improve Workflow?
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39:27We desperately want our ORs to be efficient. So do our surgeons. So why does it feel like productive engagement and communication is often easier said than done? As daunting as it may sometimes seem, engaging with our surgeons is crucial to improving efficiency, communication, and collaboration in the OR. In this episode of First Case, we’re joined…
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On this episode of our StreetClothes human-interest podcast series, we talk to a healthcare professional who finds calm, clarity, and a spark of creativity behind the lathe. For him, woodturning is more than just a hobby—it’s a release, a reset, and a reminder that even a simple block of wood can become something beautiful with time, focus, and the…
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On this episode of our StreetClothes human-interest podcast series, we talk to a healthcare professional who finds calm, clarity, and a spark of creativity behind the lathe. For him, woodturning is more than just a hobby—it’s a release, a reset, and a reminder that even a simple block of wood can become something beautiful with time, focus, and the…
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Green Initiatives, Financial Impact | Expert Series On-The-Go
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2:28On this week's edition of the Beyond Clean Expert Series On-The-Go, tune in for the conversation entitled, "Green Initiatives, Financial Impact," with our Multi-Tray Sterilization Expert™, Kelly Truppo. To hear more from this expert, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn, or subscribe to the Beyond Clean mailing list by visiting: http://www.beyondclea…
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Cover It & Keep Going: The Clear Solution for Smarter Perioperative Workflows
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35:24Staffing shortages and burnout have left many ORs struggling to stay efficient — but what if there was a simple solution that gave you time back while also protecting your sterile field? In today’s First Case Vendor Spotlight™, we’re going to learn all about this time and staff saving solution with Laurel Stebbins, Clinical Manager, and Alex Navlet…
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In this week's Article On-the-Go, Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, shares a humorous glimpse into her experiences as a nurse on call in the CVOR. Known among her colleagues for her “black cloud” reputation, Lindsey recounts rushing into ECMO emergencies in the middle of the night, sometimes in pajamas or flip flops, with no time to spare and lives on …
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