Podcast Summary: SPD911 EP 2 Part 2 - The Future of SPD: Automation, AI & The Evolution of Sterile Processing

Title: Bred To Lead | With Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs
Podcast: SPD911
Episode: EP 2 Part 2
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Guests: Sharon Green Golden and Derek Jones
Host: Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs
Produced by: SIPS Healthcare Solutions

Introduction

In the second part of SPD911's second episode, Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs delves deep into the future of Sterile Processing Departments (SPD), focusing on the integration of automation and artificial intelligence (AI) and their impact on the evolution of sterile processing. Joined by industry veterans Sharon Green Golden and Derek Jones, the discussion navigates the complexities of staffing, leadership, and technological advancements within SPD environments.

Key Discussions

1. Staffing Challenges in SPD

Understaffing and Its Impacts:
Derek Jones opens the conversation by addressing the critical issue of understaffing in SPD. He emphasizes that merely adding personnel without strategic planning does not resolve underlying challenges. Instead, it leads to reactive problem-solving without fostering leadership or operational improvements.

Derek Jones [00:03]: "You don't begin to develop. I mean there's no time. You're just resolving in the moment or you're responding to something in a moment."

Quality Over Quantity:
Sharon Green Golden reinforces the notion that quality staffing is paramount. She highlights how unqualified staff can jeopardize patient safety and hospital operations, leading to increased infection rates and potentially catastrophic sentinel events.

Sharon Green Golden [01:49]: "The biggest problem in SPD is that people do not always understand the importance of the job they are doing. Every day I say it over and over again, what we do matters every day."

2. Applying the 'Bred to Lead' Philosophy in SPD

Leadership Development Through Experience:
Dr. Jake ties the discussion back to the 'Bred to Lead' philosophy, asserting that leadership within SPD is cultivated through intentional experiences, mentorship, and overcoming challenges rather than being an innate trait.

Dr. Jake [06:47]: "Leadership isn't about who you are—it’s about who you’re becoming. It’s about dedication, resilience, and growth."

3. Temporary vs. Permanent Staffing Solutions

Challenges with Temporary Staffing:
Sharon stresses the importance of clear expectations and accountability when integrating temporary staff. She warns against relying solely on temp workers to fill gaps without ensuring they meet the necessary standards.

Sharon Green Golden [11:42]: "You cannot hold your permanent staff accountable if you do not set the rules. And my word is the rules of engagement in place for the temporary staff that you're bringing in and paying quality money to work."

Effective Onboarding Practices:
Derek adds that thorough onboarding of agency staff is crucial. He points out that temp workers often feel isolated and overburdened, leading to mistakes and reduced morale.

Derek Jones [13:00]: "Thorough onboarding of agency staffing is needed... we're just going to have another person in the rotation."

Conflict and Communication:
A heated exchange between Sharon and Derek underscores the tensions that can arise with temporary staffing. Sharon insists that travelers must live up to their resumes and adapt to the team’s needs, emphasizing teamwork over individual heroics.

Sharon Green Golden [17:19]: "Be sure you're all that and a bag of chips and stand up to your resume."

4. The Role of Automation and AI in SPD

Balancing Technology with Human Oversight:
Sharon acknowledges that while automation enhances efficiency, the human element remains indispensable. She cites situations where machines fail, necessitating manual intervention to ensure instrument cleanliness.

Sharon Green Golden [28:53]: "Automation is as good as automation. You will always need the human factor, period."

Adapting to Technological Advancements:
Derek emphasizes that AI and automation are natural progressions in SPD. He advocates for continuous learning and adaptability, encouraging professionals to embrace new technologies to improve processes and maintain job relevance.

Derek Jones [31:13]: "AI is just another technology... we need to teach our technicians to be willing to adjust, to get additional training."

Maintaining Standards Amid Automation:
Dr. Jake highlights the importance of upholding SPD standards even as automation becomes more prevalent. He warns that without maintaining high standards, technological advancements alone cannot guarantee patient safety or operational excellence.

Dr. Jake [33:23]: "Technology and AI are only as good as the manual processes predating the technology."

5. Leadership and Communication Strategies

Speaking the Language of Executives:
Both Sharon and Derek agree that effective communication with senior leadership requires aligning SPD needs with hospital-wide priorities such as patient safety, infection control, and cost management. Utilizing data and standards to support requests can facilitate better understanding and approval from executives.

Sharon Green Golden [07:34]: "Have it written, have the standards to back it up... What do we do to push back? As a manager, I can only push so far."

Building a Collaborative Culture:
Dr. Jake advocates for fostering a team-oriented environment where temporary and permanent staff work cohesively. He believes that building a strong departmental culture is essential for long-term success and resilience.

Dr. Jake [20:28]: "We have to build the culture of your organization... build a networking community of people that are truly committed to grow and develop."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Derek Jones [00:03]: "You're just resolving in the moment or you're responding to something in a moment."
• Sharon Green Golden [01:49]: "What we do matters every day."
• Sharon Green Golden [11:42]: "You have to have accountability... set the rules of engagement in place."
• Sharon Green Golden [28:53]: "Automation is as good as automation. You will always need the human factor, period."
• Derek Jones [31:13]: "AI is just another technology... we need to teach our technicians to be willing to adjust."
• Sharon Green Golden [39:53]: "Individually we are one drop. Together we become an ocean."

Insights and Conclusions

Embracing Change for Growth:
The episode underscores the necessity for SPD professionals to embrace both leadership development and technological advancements. By adopting the 'Bred to Lead' philosophy, individuals can cultivate resilience and adaptability, essential traits for navigating the evolving landscape of sterile processing.

Quality Staffing as a Cornerstone:
Ensuring the recruitment and retention of qualified staff is pivotal for maintaining high standards in SPD operations. Both permanent and temporary staff must be thoroughly vetted, adequately trained, and held accountable to foster a culture of excellence and safety.

Strategic Integration of Technology:
Automation and AI should be viewed as tools to augment human capabilities rather than replace them. Effective integration requires ongoing training, adherence to standards, and a balanced approach that leverages technology to enhance efficiency without compromising patient safety.

Effective Leadership Communication:
Leaders in SPD must articulate their needs and challenges in terms that resonate with hospital executives. By aligning departmental objectives with broader institutional goals, SPD leaders can secure necessary resources and support for their teams.

Building a Unified Team:
Fostering a collaborative and inclusive team environment, where temporary and permanent staff work cohesively, is essential for operational success. Strong leadership, clear communication, and mutual respect contribute to a harmonious and productive workplace.

Final Motivational Messages:
The episode concludes with heartfelt messages aimed at SPD technicians, encouraging them to persevere through challenges, embrace continuous learning, and recognize the invaluable role they play in patient care. Both Sharon and Derek emphasize the importance of dedication, integrity, and teamwork in achieving personal and professional fulfillment within the sterile processing field.

Join the Conversation:
For those passionate about advancing the sterile processing profession and fostering a community of dedicated professionals, SPD911 invites you to join their executive community. Visit SPD911.com to become a part of a network committed to excellence, growth, and impactful change in healthcare.

Stay Connected:
Subscribe to the SPD911 podcast on your preferred platform or visit breadtolead.com to listen to this episode and others in the series. Stay informed, stay inspired, and contribute to the future of sterile processing.

Closing Thought:
As Sharon so eloquently puts it, "Individually we are one drop. Together we become an ocean." In the sterile processing community, unity and collaboration are the keys to overcoming challenges and achieving remarkable advancements that benefit both healthcare professionals and patients alike.