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The Southern California Sterile Processing Association joins sterile processing professionals around the world in mourning the passing of Damien Berg, BA, BS, CRCST, AAMIF. Damien Berg spent more than three decades serving others through military medicine, hospital sterile processing, professional leadership, advocacy, education, and national and international standards development. His career took him from the department floor to health-system leadership and ultimately to so

Welcome back recent graduates and students. Some of you are applying for your first sterile processing job and others may have recently started your career. This post will focus on proper “Personal Protective Equipment.” Also known as and referred to as “PPE.” Let’s Dive into It. As a new technician in sterile processing one of the first things you will encounter in the different areas of the department is PPE. You will also come to learn that what you wear matters and pro

Sterile Processing continues to change. New devices enter our departments, manufacturers revise their instructions, and industry requirements are updated. We have a responsibility to keep up with those changes because our work has a direct effect on patient care. A Profession That Never Stands Still The operating room depends on us to provide instruments that have been cleaned, inspected, assembled, packaged, sterilized, stored, and delivered correctly. Most patients will nev

What’s this? Instruments containerized with a yellow biohazard sticker? What does yellow mean and what do I do? These instruments have been exposed to chemotherapy or other hazardous drugs. But don’t panic! You just must take a few extra precautions when reprocessing these instruments. Don’t lax on your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)! Remember you are handling something very dangerous! Double check your gloves to make sure they are approved for handling hazardous

The journey may be smooth at times and difficult at others but keep moving forward! Every path can lead you to your destination.

We are excited to introduce a new resource dedicated to the professionals who keep healthcare safe behind the scenes every day. Whether you are a Sterile Processing Technician, Lead, Supervisor, Manager, Educator, or a student preparing to enter the profession, this blog was created with you in mind. Sterile Processing is a profession that is constantly evolving. New standards are introduced, technologies advance, regulations change, and healthcare facilities continually fa

Sterile Processing (SPD) has always been the foundation of safe surgical care. Every instrument, every tray, and every process we...

In Sterile Processing, every step in the workflow matters. From the moment an instrument leaves the operating room to when it is...

In the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), precision is not optional—it is essential. Our role is critical to patient safety, surgical...

If you’ve ever worked behind the scenes in Sterile Processing, you know we don’t wear capes—but maybe we should. While we’re not in the...

Welcome to the real world of Sterile Processing. Orientation gives you the basics: policies, safety protocols, where the eye wash station...

When people think about life-saving moments in healthcare, they picture surgeons in the OR, nurses at the bedside, or the flash of an...

Sterilization is the cornerstone of patient safety in the Sterile Processing Department (SPD). Whether you're a new technician learning...

Staffing shortages in Sterile Processing (SPD) have become a critical issue across hospitals and surgical centers. As the demand for...

In the world of Sterile Processing, the Prep and Pack area serves as the backbone of surgical instrument reprocessing. This critical...

Sterile processing professionals are the unsung heroes of healthcare. We ensure that every surgical instrument is safe, sterile, and...

Attending a sterile processing conference is an incredible opportunity to learn, network, and stay ahead of industry advancements....

In sterile processing, where precision and efficiency directly impact patient safety, professional growth is often overlooked. Many SPD...

Decontamination, commonly known as decon in sterile processing departments (SPDs), is one of the most crucial aspects of infection...

When we think about healthcare, we often focus on doctors, nurses, and surgeons. However, there’s a crucial team working tirelessly...