Knowledge Unlocked Podcast

From presenting to the C-Suite to joking around with coworkers in the break room, the workplace is a complex environment that requires a thoughtful approach to how we present ourselves. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss the dynamics of professionalism, approachability, and influence in everyday work life and how to improve these important skills.   Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Have you ever had a great idea for a new process or procedure only to have it met with resistance or fizzle out after implementation? Navigating the process of rolling out a new idea can be a tricky one, but we're here to help! In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss the challenges of implementing change and provide tips and tricks for successfully rolling out new processes and procedures.  Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Most know that multitasking can be both harmful and helpful, but how do we ensure that we're taking advantage of multitasking while not allowing it to negatively impact our productivity? In this episode, Michelle and Jamie explore the positive and negative aspects of multitasking and discuss how to become a multitasking master.  Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Competition is a powerful motivator in many environments, but can too much competition do more harm than good in the workplace?  In this episode, Jamie and Michelle unpack the pros and cons of competition in the workplace and make suggestions on how to foster an environment of measured competition in your department. Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Presenting at national or international conferences may seem like a daunting task, but the sterile processing, perioperative, and endoscopy industries need to hear your voice! In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss presenting at national conferences, how YOU can share your knowledge and experiences with your peers, and make a positive impact on the industry as a whole.  Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

To huddle, or not to huddle? Is that the question? Many departments are debating whether they are spending their huddle time effectively and some have abandoned the traditional shift huddle for other means of interdepartmental communication.  In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss creative ways to break up the monotony of traditional shift huddles and strategies to optimize your department huddle time.   Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Have you ever been asked your opinion on how to best perform a task that is outside of your expertise? Is your first thought: "Why didn't they ask someone from (insert department here)?" You aren't alone. Healthcare is a dynamic and complex work environment that often has dozens of specialties under one roof. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss how the unique and specialized knowledge and experience that each department has can be leveraged to provide best-in-class patient care.   Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Studies have shown that communication failures are responsible for up to 80% of adverse patient events and patients with surgical teams that exhibited poor teamwork were at a higher risk for death and complications. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss how we can improve communication between the OR and SPD through interdepartmental transparency and opportunities to share specialized feedback.     Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Virtual reality and augmented reality are becoming more common in our everyday lives, but training simulations don't necessarily need to be high-tech to be high-impact. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle team up with Kristy Gottschalk, OR Nursing Education Coordinator and simulation-based training advocate, to discuss how to leverage simulations to improve the training in your department and positively impact patient safety in your facility.    Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Social media isn't all cute puppy pictures and dancing videos, or at least it doesn't have to be. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle dive into how important social media has become in creating a professional network and showcasing skills, knowledge, and experience. Tune in and learn how healthcare professionals can leverage social media platforms to kickstart career growth. Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

How often do you access information online that seems to be exactly what you're looking for just to be let down? Sometimes the information isn't relevant, up-to-date, or worse, inaccurate. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss the importance of sourcing reliable information in healthcare and how to evaluate the content we consume on the internet.    Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

With all of the discussion of continuous improvement of processes, procedures, and practices in healthcare, is there any time left for continuous improvement for ourselves? In this episode, Jamie and Michelle team up with Sarah B. Cruz, self-proclaimed "CSS Nerd" and passionate sterile processing advocate, to discuss how healthcare professionals can focus on continuous self-improvement and goal setting to kickstart their professional and personal growth.    Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in teaming. The team mentality is evolving into the “teaming” mentality in which we work with a diverse group of people with diverse experiences to achieve interdependent goals. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle dive into the difference between teams and teaming, and how to shift your mindset to future-proof your interdepartmental collaboration.   Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Everyone loves a good laugh right? Well, it turns out laughter can do more than just lighten the mood when times are tough. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss the benefits of laughter in the workplace and how you can embrace laughter in your department to improve morale and performance! Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

When preparing for important discussions in your career such as a proposal for a new product or capital request, it's important to be well prepared. But what if the answer is no? Now what? In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss how to react when you are met with resistance or when your ideas are downright rejected. Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Everyone is aware of the fear of failure, but what about the fear of success? In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss how to recognize the signs of achievemephobia (the fear of success), how it can impact professional and personal growth, and how to overcome it. Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

At some point, all healthcare professionals have probably heard "this is how you learned it in school (or training), but this is how we actually do it in real life." Why is this the case? Is there a disconnect between the "real world" and guidelines and standards driving our daily healthcare practices?   In this episode, Jamie and Michelle take a deep dive into industry standards, guidelines, and best practices. They discuss how healthcare professionals can ensure they are compliant with the standards and guidelines and are driving best practices within their department to improve patient outcomes and provide the highest level of patient care.   Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Trust is a requirement for all healthy relationships, but it is also an integral component of an efficient, productive, and effective organization. Studies have shown that trust in the workplace can also produce decreased stress levels, increased loyalty in the work environment, and empowers ethical decision-making. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss the systemic loss of trust in the healthcare profession, and how to rebuild trust within your organization.   Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com   Resources: Frances Frei https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/profile.aspx?facId=6587 Prioritizing Trust https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/12/28/prioritize-trust-the-biggest-workplace-imperative-of-2021/?sh=4bb581056b63

There is no doubt that leadership is an important aspect in all organizations, but do leadership principles change depending on the organization? In this episode, Jamie and Michelle interview Marine veteran and healthcare leader, Brandon VanHee about his experience leading teams in combat and in healthcare. Tune in to hear an interesting discussion on universal leadership principles and how they apply to any organization. Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Communication is often cited as one of the most important life skills and poor communication is the root cause of many conflicts that occur between sterile processing and operating room staff. In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss the importance of effective communication in the sterile processing department and operating room and provide valuable tips and tricks to more effectively communicate in your facility every day. Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Do certifications in healthcare provide a realistic benchmark for expertise in a particular field? Or is it just a way for people to add arbitrary credentials after their name? In this episode, Jamie and Michelle dive into these questions and much more as they discuss certification and licensing in sterile processing and the operating room. Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com SHOW NOTES: SPD Certifications IAHCSMM CRCST - Certified Registered Central Service Technician CIS - Certified Instrument Specialist CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader CER- Certified endoscope reprocessor CBSPD C.S.P.D.T. - Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician C.A.S.S.P.T. - Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technician C.S.I.S. - Certified Surgical Instrument Specialist C.F.E.R. - Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor C.S.P.M. - Certified Sterile Processing Management OR Certifications CNOR- Certified perioperative CSSM- Certified Surgical Services Manager CNS-CP- Certified Perioperative Clinical Nurse Specialist (requires MSN or DNP) CNAMB- Certified ambulatory surgery nurse (repeat) CRNFA- Certified registered nurse first assist CPAN- Certified post anesthesia nurse In addition to ACLS, PALS, Neonatal ALS Endoscopy Certifications CGRN- certified gastroenterology RN (ABCGN) CNAMB- Certified ambulatory surgery nurse (repeat) GTS – GI technical specialist (SGNA) AGTS – Advanced GI technical specialist (SGNA)

In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss the causes and effects of burnout in healthcare. In the midst of a global pandemic, healthcare professionals are experiencing the negative impacts of burnout at an alarming rate, but burnout is nothing new in hospitals around the globe. Tune in and find out more about how burnout is affecting healthcare professionals and what we can do to help prevent burnout.  Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

In this episode, Jamie and Michelle explore the 7 different generations that are in the workforce today; who they are, what they're like, and how they tick. They discuss the inherent strengths of each generation and how we can promote more successful intergenerational teams in Sterile Processing and the Operating Room.  Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

In this episode, Jamie and Michelle discuss traditional and not-so-traditional career paths in Sterile Processing and the Operating Room. Wherever you find yourself in your career, take some helpful hints from this episode to get where you want to be! Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com

Welcome to the Knowledge Unlocked Podcast! In this trailer, hosts Jamie Zarembinski and Michelle Lemmons discuss who they are, how the Knowledge Unlocked Podcast came to be, and why you should listen!  Have questions/comments/suggestions? Email us at podcast@keysurgical.com