Transmission Control

While we get ready for the next season of the Transmission Control Podcast, we're featuring episodes from Beyond Clean's "What the Speck?" series, sponsored by Aesculap. Enjoy!
Behind every black speck is a process, a piece of equipment, or a hidden culprit waiting to be discovered. In this episode of "What the Speck?," SPD professional and consultant Warren Nist joins us to discuss how departments can move beyond identifying debris and begin uncovering the root cause behind it. From quality reports and workflow data to full department risk assessments, Warren walks through how experienced SPD teams track contamination back to its source. We also uncover some surprising culprits—from worn equipment components to debris hiding inside washers, carts, and even on hospital floors. If your team is trying to connect the dots and eliminate the problem for good, this episode offers a practical roadmap for getting there.
A special thanks to our sponsor, Aesculap®, for supporting this podcast series!
#TransmissionControl #BeyondClean #Aesculap #SterileProcessing #WhatTheSpeck #BlackSpecks #SurgicalTrays #Podcast

While we get ready for the next season of the Transmission Control Podcast, we're featuring episodes from Beyond Clean's "What the Speck?" series, sponsored by Aesculap. Enjoy!
When a black speck shows up in a surgical tray, the first question is simple: "What is it?" But as many Sterile Processing teams discover, the answer is anything but straightforward. On this episode of "What the Speck?," global reprocessing expert Dr. Gerhard Kirmse from Aesculap joins us to explore the science of identifying this pesky, unidentified debris and to tackle the question at the center of the mystery: "What exactly is a black speck?" From microscopic analysis and lab testing to on-site investigations inside washers, sterilizers, and steam systems, Dr. Kirmse explains how experts piece together the clues to uncover the real source behind these particles. Tune in to discover how science, collaboration, and a little detective work come together to solve one of SPD's most frustrating mysteries.
A special thanks to our sponsor, Aesculap®, for supporting this podcast series!
#TransmissionControl #BeyondClean #Aesculap #SterileProcessing #WhatTheSpeck #BlackSpecks #SurgicalTrays #Podcast

While we get ready for the next season of the Transmission Control Podcast, we're featuring episodes from Beyond Clean's What the Speck? series, sponsored by Aesculap. Enjoy!
Every #CleanFreak has seen them at least once—those mysterious black specks appearing in surgical trays with no clear explanation. But are they just a nuisance… or a warning sign of something bigger? In Episode 1 of our brand-new podcast series "What the Speck?," host Bobby Parker welcomes Alex Miseirvitch, Senior Product Manager for Rigid Sterile Containers at Aesculap®, to explore the mystery—and real challenges—behind unidentified debris in sterile trays. From potential patient safety risks to the operational strain of tray contamination and case delays, these tiny particles can create ripple effects across the entire surgical workflow. If your team has ever asked, "What is this—and where did it come from?" this episode is the perfect place to start!
A special thanks to our sponsor, Aesculap®, for supporting this podcast series!
#TransmissionControl #BeyondClean #Aesculap #SterileProcessing #WhatTheSpeck #BlackSpecks #SurgicalTrays #Podcast

Fungi are everywhere, but in healthcare, they're often an afterthought. In this episode of Transmission Control, we sit down with internationally recognized medical mycologist Malcolm Richardson to explore the hidden role fungal pathogens play in patient safety. From Aspergillus lurking in dust, ventilation systems, and water-damaged environments to the growing challenge of antifungal resistance, the conversation sheds light on risks that rarely make it into everyday infection prevention discussions. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience in clinical and environmental mycology, Malcolm explains why fungal threats deserve a seat at the infection prevention table, how healthcare facilities can reduce airborne fungal risk, and where current surveillance methods fall short. The episode also looks ahead to emerging technologies that could transform air quality monitoring from a reactive exercise into a proactive patient safety strategy.
 
If bacteria and viruses dominate the conversation, this episode asks an important question: What are we missing by overlooking fungi?
#TransmissionControl #InfectionPrevention #Pathogens #Mycology #Fungi #Aspergillus #Bacteria #AirbornRisks #Technology #Monitoring #PatientSafety #Safety

A new season of Transmission Control is on the horizon! Until then, enjoy a few favorites from the archives.
Given the rising concerns of endoscope-related infections around the country, organizations, agencies, and providers believed it was imperative to evaluate the current literature and standards for endoscope reprocessing. Joining us for this week's episode of Transmission Control, Dr. Raman Muthusamy joins Dr. Lawrence Muscarella and Justin Poulin to discuss the critical updates made to the Multisociety Guidelines for Reprocessing Flexible GI Scopes in the early 2021. These updates have helped to reduce confusion about how to navigate conflicting industry guidelines and recommendations from various organizations, but ongoing updates are necessary as the industry continues to explore the many factors that have resulted in "superbug" outbreaks.  Dr. Raman Muthusamy has been front and center in this conversation, is co-author of the multisociety guideline document. In this interview he shares his knowledge of the recent updates to the guidelines (such as facility based risk assessments), the discussion around sterilization versus high level disinfection, and standards of care that are population based rather than universal.
To subscribe to the Transmission Control podcast and catch our future episodes releasing every other week visit:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1570808792
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0jpO4r4RvFIfoMVcx7yln2?si=x_pDH2EjTLClpgNT2TC67w
Or follow us on social media at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Transmission-Control-103851988489519
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transmissioncontrol/
#GI #Endoscopes #Guidelines #Multi-Society #SuperBug #Outbreaks #FlexibleScopes #TransmissionControl #Podcast #Education #IPT #InfectionPrevention #InfectionControl #Infection #PublicHealth #Healthcare