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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Sterile Horizons - Lean ASC: Designing for Efficiency & Safety
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31:03What does it really take to build an ASC Sterile Processing department that runs lean and safe? In this premiere episode of our new podcast series "Sterile Horizons," we're joined by longtime industry consultant David Jagrosse to explore the core principles behind ASCs that work smarter—not harder. From eliminating waste to improving team flow and …
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Who Do Scrubs Really Work Under? Busting A Common OR Myth
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24:31A long-standing myth in the operating room continues to circulate is that surgical technologists work under the license of the OR nurse. In this week's episode of First Case, we're setting the record straight. Tune in as we speak with Angel Pickett, Surgical Technology Program Director at Connecticut State Community College, Gateway Campus. Togethe…
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Tray Command - Freight Expectations: Lessons Learned from Off-Site Transport
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36:25What does it really take to move surgical instruments safely and efficiently across town—and back—every single day? In this episode of Beyond Clean's Tray Command, we sit down with Lila Price, Interim Sterile Processing Leader, for a deep dive into the logistics, leadership, and lessons behind off-site sterilization. From courier education and cont…
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In the high-stakes world of the operating room, precision, teamwork, and focus are essential, but so is taking care of ourselves. In this week's article, Melanie Perry explores the signs of burnout, its impact on patient safety, and shares practical steps every nurse can take to protect their mental health and preserve their passion for patient car…
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Shellfish Allergy Does Not Equal Betadine Allergy
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31:12🦐 Shellfish Allergy ≠ Iodine Allergy! 🧴 For decades, perioperative teams have avoided iodine-based prep solutions for patients with shellfish allergies, but what if that long-held precaution wasn't necessary? In this week's episode of First Case, we're talking with Laila Bailey, Service Leader for Pediatrics and Urology at Inova Fairfax Hospital, a…
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Tray Command - Yours, Mine, or Ours? The Complex Web of Loaner Logistics
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36:40Every #CleanFreak knows the sound—the rattle of a cart rolling into decontam, stacked high with trays just before your shift ends. (You can hear it now, can't you?) But what does it take to get those trays there in the first place? On this week's episode of Beyond Clean's Tray Command, we're joined by orthopedic distributor Kris Jones for a behind-…
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Eye-Opening Solutions: Rethinking Ophthalmology Practices with ONE TRAY
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49:03In the fast-paced world of ophthalmology, efficiency shouldn't come at the cost of best practice. The good news? There are proven solutions that eliminate risky practices while still keeping up with high case volumes. In this First Case Vendor Spotlight™, we sit down with Barbara Ann Harmer, Vice President of Clinical Services with ONE TRAY®/IST, t…
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Working Outside Your Service Line, The More You Know
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3:47When was the last time you stepped outside your service line? In this week's Articles on the Go, Lindsey Joyce, MSN, RN, CNOR, shares her story of working outside her cardiac specialty, and the unexpected lessons that came with it. From scrubbing a gallbladder case to circulating a robotic procedure, Lindsey reminds us that staying well-rounded isn…
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Tray Command - At Arm's Length: The Case for Keeping Sterile Instruments Close
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39:06When seconds matter, where your instruments are stored can make all the difference. On this episode of Beyond Clean's "Tray Command," Bobby Parker and guest co-host Angela Benson sit down with OR Nurse and First Case Podcast co-host Melanie Perry for a candid look at what happens when critical instruments are stored too far from the OR. From sub-st…
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Room Temp Reality: Evidence, Guidelines, & Practice
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27:47Is a cold OR really better for patient infection prevention, or is it just another myth we've been holding onto for too long? In this week's episode, we're joined by Garret Hollenbeak, System Infection Preventionist at Bon Secours Mercy Health and Editor-in-Chief of our sister podcast, Transmission Control. Together, we dig into the science behind …
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Tray Command - Thank You for Calling SPD: Long Live Customer Service
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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32:28How 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
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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
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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
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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™
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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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Planet Assembly - Tunes in the Trenches: Is Music An Essential Part of SPD Assembly?
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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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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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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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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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Beyond Clean Canada: Sealing the Standard: Containers, Compliance & What Comes Next
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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
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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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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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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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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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