ConCensis

  Get ready for the event of the year—Censis Technologies Users Conference 2024! This groundbreaking conference is where the sterile processing community comes together to ignite innovation, build powerful connections, and elevate healthcare to new heights. If you’re a technician, manager, or industry expert within the perioperative loop, this is the must-attend event…

The healthcare sector suffered a major setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing high-quality services to patients is a priority. However, for healthcare facilities to run properly, managers and directors must make operational and strategic decisions, especially in the perioperative setting. Efficient operating room (OR) management involves maintaining equilibrium between optimal OR capacity, allocation…

CtUC 2023 Trailblazers are at the forefront of transforming hospital operations, particularly in sterile processing and logistics, as highlighted in a recent episode of the ConCensis podcast. The healthcare industry, driven by technological advancements and the need to improve patient outcomes, continuously seeks solutions to optimize processes and ensure compliance with health regulations—a challenge…

In the latest episode of the ConCensis Podcast, host Vanessa Canvanaugh dives into a compelling discussion with Mark Copeland, Vice President of Sales at 3T Medical  Systems, exploring the transformative power of Sterile Processing Departments (SPDs) in healthcare facilities. This conversation highlights the critical role SPDs play beyond their traditional view as cost centers,…

How does achieving a HITRUST cybersecurity certification redefine the security posture and customer trust for companies like Censis Technologies and their clients? In this insightful episode of the ConCensis podcast, host Vanessa Cavanaugh engages with Brandi Guest, a Security Operations Engineer at Censis, and Myles Templin, an Associate Manager at A-LIGN, delving into the…

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System has emerged as a beacon of healthcare innovation, particularly in the realm of sterile processing, setting new benchmarks in healthcare efficiency and patient safety. Their journey, marked by significant achievements and culminating in the prestigious 2023 Ron Hesch Award, reflects a deep commitment to advancing healthcare practices. In an industry…

This episode of the ConCensis podcast looks into the critical world of sterile processing with CtUC 2023 platinum sponsor Kem Medical Products Corp. Host Vanessa Cavanaugh and guest Mark Ebenstein, VP of Products and Services at Kem Medical, discuss the tools and strategies that ensure safety in healthcare environments. Together, they explore Kem Medical’s integral…

When it comes to handling change, look no further than Censis’ CtUC 2023 Change Maker Award winner Alina Easley for advice. With its rapidly evolving technological advancements, the healthcare sector aims to streamline operations and improve patient care. This transformation often requires a marriage of technical skills and change management to ensure that healthcare…

Kelly Swails, Clinical Business Manager at Censis, and Desiree Acedo, Supervisor Sterile Processing Department at Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center, discuss the complex requirements of a surgical task and how efficiency tasks (EFTs) support the role.

Creating an instrument management standardization program for multiple facilities shouldn’t be a hassle and shouldn’t require mountains of physical paperwork. In today’s digital age, reliance on paper processes in healthcare institutions is outdated and wasteful. According to recent data, American healthcare institutions waste more than five million tons of paper annually. This environmental degradation…

Despite its rapid technological advancements, the Sterile Processing industry faces a challenge: professionals often feel disconnected. The upcoming Censis Technologies Users Conference (CtUC) Connect 2023, scheduled from September 10-12 at the Omni Nashville Hotel, seeks to address this issue. A recent survey highlighted that 80% of professionals believe in-person conferences, like CtUC 2023, are…

With the world continuing to grapple with the aftermath of COVID-19, healthcare facilities are finding it harder than ever to recruit and retain qualified staff. The high cost of living, economic uncertainty, and an increasingly competitive job market have created a perfect storm, leading to a whopping 77 percent of employers struggling to fill positions,…

Get your CE certificate here There is a long-standing debate in sterile processing of quality vs. productivity. It’s a pivotal juncture, fueled by technological advancements and stricter regulatory measures. Approximately 0.5% to 3% of patients undergoing surgery experiences an infection at or adjacent to the surgical incision site, highlighting the critical need for effective…

Leaders within the healthcare industry discuss the challenges they face in making informed decisions due to data availability and distribution. One leader highlights that, as a director, there’s an expectation to have comprehensive knowledge, but data doesn’t always flow effectively. The situation is unique, with one leader overseeing a single large site and the other…

Sterile processing departments are persistently understaffed with high turnover which leads to higher defect rates. These defects have serious impacts on patient safety and are the third leading cause of operating room delays. So how can SPD leadership get actionable data they need to make impactful changes that will significantly improve sterile processing outcomes and…

Many medical instruments are reusable, which has made tracking them through the sterilization process very important. These instruments often require inspection, maintenance, and sterilization to ensure maximum patient safety. Some healthcare facilities still track their instruments with paper and pen, exposing them to human error, credibility, time-consuming recalls, and boxes of archives that need to be stored….

The healthcare sector suffered a major setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing high-quality services to patients is a priority. However, for healthcare facilities to run properly, managers or directors must make operational and strategic decisions, especially in the perioperative setting. Efficient operating room (OR) management involves maintaining equilibrium between optimal OR capacity, allocation of ORs…

Creating Sterile Processing Department schedules that make the most of a staff’s time requires a complete understanding and visibility of the demands of a particular healthcare facility. And to gain that big picture, a department needs data and lots of it. Still, more than that, a Sterile Processing Department needs a platform solution that provides…

There are an estimated 51.4 million inpatient surgeries performed in the U.S. on an annual basis. That’s a lot of reusable instruments that require sterile processing. It’s no wonder Sterile Processing Departments (SPDs) have their hands full. Labor shortages, mainly since the pandemic, put tremendous strain on already taxed SPDs. Censis creates solutions to give…

Many areas of healthcare struggle with staffing issues, requiring personnel to do more with fewer resources. Sterile processing departments are not immune to these issues. Today, increased responsibilities and difficulty finding and retaining qualified employees to manage these critical tasks are challenging to solve. Even with data tracking tools and platforms, making sense of all…

Sterile Processing Departments (SPDs), as with all other industries in healthcare, are struggling with supply chain concerns, a lack of steady commitment from staff, and a workforce shortage. Additionally, SPDs have long dealt with issues in staffing shortages, which even extends to how facilities maximize their spaces. Seamus Johnson, Senior Director of Application Development…

This year, the theme for the Censis Technologies Users Conference (CTUC), is the “Power of Purpose.” ConCensis Host Gabrielle Bejarano was joined by the following from Censis to dive into the purpose of the conference and this year’s theme: President Ankush Kaul, Allison Flood, VP, Customer Success & Service, Barry Phetteplace, Chief Technology Officer, and…

Endoscopes are complex surgical assets made with various intricate parts depending on their use. Processing includes sterilizing, cleaning, transporting, and storing these tools. All of this requires intense asset management. To discuss moving scope process into the technological age, host Tyler Kern invited Jacob Long, Director – Sales Engineering, and Hannah Shipp, Product Owner –…

Everything begins with the customer journey to create the innovations that will shape the future of sterile processing. Barry Phetteplace, Chief Technology Officer at Censis, and Susan Isaac, Product Director at Censis, shared the strategy that guides their teams in developing advanced sterile processing solutions. Isaac said Censis tackles a problem by examining the customer…

Ahead of any surgical procedure or operation is the preparation of surgical instruments. In the latest episode of the podcast “ConCensis,” host Tyler Kern discussed the ins and outs of how Censis utilizes its software to facilitate the use of surgical instruments throughout the full perioperative loop by putting marks on each individual instrument. He…

Technology plays a central role in every aspect of medical advancement — even in the surgical asset management field. On an episode of ConCensis host, Tyler Kern was joined by Theresa Cole, a Sterile Processing Manager at Northern Nevada Sierra Hospital, and Jason Blake, a project manager with Censis Technologies – the company behind CensiTrac,…

Susie Martin, Project Manager with Professional Services at Censis Technologies, Inc., and Carrie Miller, Perioperative Enterprise Coordinator at The Ohio State University, spoke with ConCensis about best practices for loaner tray management. Miller said that in the case of Ohio State University’s healthcare network, Censis’ LoanerLink is a critical solution for efficient and safe loaner…

Seamus Johnson, Senior Director of Application Development and Jacob Long, Sales Engineer at Censis, spoke with Host Tyler Kern about what instrument tracking is and how it is revolutionizing hospitals. Instruments often disappear, and the idea behind tracking is use barcodes and scan trays so instruments are traceable. “Being able to have almost like a…

CensiTrac is a powerful tool for any medical organization, and Censis wants to make sure organizations get the most from it, which is why they conduct onsite utilization assessments. Cody Pregler, Clinical EducatorforCensis,spoke with Tyler Kern on the multitude of ways Censis maximizes efficiencies with advanced clinical support through their ServicePlus model. What exactly does…

Every new year brings with it New Year’s resolutions. And these resolutions don’t have to be personal goals, as Censis Clinical Educator Jill Sweeney explained to ConCensis’ Tyler Kern. Resolutions can also apply to effective surgical instrument management. Sweeney gave Kern six solid ways that CensiTrac can help steer 2022 in the right direction….

Hank Balch, founder and President of Beyond Clean, joined host Hilary Kennedy on ConCensis to discuss how instrument tracking data can be a resume goldmine in today’s sterile processing landscape. Balch has a long and extensive resume filled with of industry awards, blogs, social media prowess and conference speeches. Balch started as a frontline technician…

As leaders, it’s always important to listen to your employees. But, now might be the most crucial time to listen and understand the needs of employees who are going through tumultuous times. Empathy and appreciation are vital tools as leaders look to navigate the pandemic. On the second part of this ConCensis podcast episode, Host…

As a society at large, we’ve gone through a massive cultural upheaval and have had many of our societal norms challenged by a time of crisis. Not only was this a strain on everyone’s day-to-day stability, but it also put a wrench in most office-setting business leadership. On this first part of a Censis Technologies…

CensiTrac’s robust reporting capabilities can provide sterile processing departments (SPDs) with a wealth of opportunities for efficiencies. Dalton Carter, Technical Support Manager at Censis, discussed some of these CensiTrac features with host Hilary Kennedy. “SPD’s need to report on a wealth of important information from sterilization records to employee productivity to anything with case…

Healthcare has plenty of potential pain points to go around, but one of the industry’s longest lasting is the proper use of immediate use steam sterilization, or IUSS. The procedure, traditionally known as “flash sterilization,” offers the quickest possible time between an instrument’s use and its ability to be used again. However, that benefit…

There’s never been a greater need for hospitals and other healthcare operations to have full visibility into their assets and how they’re being used in operating room settings and beyond. In a healthcare landscape that’s seen most healthcare operations adopt some form of electronic health records (EHR) solution, Censis’s solutions can integrate with those…

On this episode of the podcast, host Tyler Kern talked with Kelly Swails, Senior Clinical Educator for Censis Technologies, the industry leader in surgical instrument management systems, offering advanced, web-based software systems. Kern and Swails talked about the lifecycle of a container and the importance of tracking during the process. Today, we’re talking about…

Sam Harrison, Senior Clinical Educator at Censis Technologies, provided Tyler Kern with an education in endoscopy when he guided him through the lifecycle of a scope and how Censis technologies’ ScopeTrac and CensiTrac play a vital role in the process. Scopes first go through a deamination process before they enter the OR. CensiTrac then…

Community Generated Content

In this customer story from Censis Technologies, Angela Sullivan, the Interim SPD Manager at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, Washington, shares her experience with CensiTrac, Censis’ tracking system. St. Michael Medical Center is a sizable hospital with multiple departments, including orthopedics and the main operating room, each with a unique set of instruments. Angela…

CtUC Connect 2023, set to take place in Nashville, promises to be an exceptional user’s conference with a range of engaging and challenging sessions to offer attendees. Michael Burger, the opening speaker for this event, invites both returning and first-time participants to a unique experience aimed at reevaluating and recharging one’s life. The primary goal…

Leaders within the healthcare industry discuss the challenges they face in making informed decisions due to data availability and distribution. One leader highlights that, as a director, there’s an expectation to have comprehensive knowledge, but data doesn’t always flow effectively. The situation is unique, with one leader overseeing a single large site and the other…

Videos

In this episode of the ConCensis podcast by Censis Technologies, host Gabrielle Bejarano spotlights the Kevin Bevill Facility Awards winners at CtUC 2023. This accolade is a testament to outstanding healthcare facility management and process optimization achievements. Gabrielle welcomes Tyrenie Davis, the CensiTrac Coordinator at the VA North Texas, who shares insights into her…

CtUC 2023 offers a chance to learn from leaders in various fields. Censis Technologies, a key player in Sterile Processing Department (SPD) management, is a leader in the industry. They provide intuitive functionality, making it easy for organizations to generate necessary reports and enhance productivity. Their dashboard allows for real-time monitoring of departmental productivity. Censis…

The panel discussion, sponsored by Censis Technologies, delves into the ongoing debate surrounding quality versus productivity within the sterile processing industry. The conversation is moderated by Hank Balch, Founder and President of Beyond Clean, and features experts from the field. The central issue revolves around differing perspectives and disagreements within the industry regarding the balance…

The upcoming episode of the ConCensis Podcast, presented by Censis Technologies, promises to be both enlightening and essential for healthcare professionals. Host Gabrielle Bejarano announces that on June 9th at 11 AM CT, the podcast will delve into crucial issues surrounding healthcare-acquired infections, sterilization, and quality control processing, all in alignment with the updated ST-91…