Claim OwnershipSPD 911 | With Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs, Sharon Greene-Golden & Derrick Jones Sr.
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When surgery happens, there’s a whole team making sure the tools are clean, safe, and ready. That team is the Sterile Processing Department (SPD). But most people don’t see what goes on behind the scenes—or how much can go wrong if leadership isn’t strong.
That’s why SPD911 exists. This is the show where we talk about the real problems and real solutions happening in sterile processing today.
What Is SPD911 About?
SPD911 is hosted by Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs with leaders Sharon Greene-Golden, Derrick Jones, and Karen Cherry-Brown. Together, they bring decades of experience in healthcare leadership, compliance, and sterile processing.
Each episode covers tough topics like:
Dirty trays making it to surgery rooms
Wet packs and why they keep happening
Why some SPD leaders aren’t ready for their jobs
Why hospitals hire certified techs who still don’t know what they’re doing
How sterile processing departments can get more respect, better pay, and stronger leadership
We share real-life situations from hospitals. These are things that happen every day in SPD departments all over the country. From small hospitals to major healthcare systems, these problems affect patient safety and hospital profits.
Who Is SPD911 For?
SPD techs who want to grow and lead
Managers and supervisors trying to run strong departments
Hospital executives who want to cut costs and reduce patient risk
Anyone in healthcare who wants to understand what really keeps surgery safe
Why Listen to SPD911?
Because sterile processing is one of the most important parts of a hospital—and often the most overlooked. We bring open, honest conversations about:
How leadership changes everything in SPD
Why compliance checklists don’t always mean things are safe
How to build a real career path in sterile processing
How SIPS Healthcare Solutions is helping hospitals fix broken systems with tools like the Sterile by Design framework
Our Promise:
We won’t sugarcoat things. We won’t waste your time.
Real professionals. Real problems. Real solutions.
Because at SPD911, we don’t just process instruments—we process truth.
Watch episodes and join the community: https://spd911.com
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
That’s why SPD911 exists. This is the show where we talk about the real problems and real solutions happening in sterile processing today.
What Is SPD911 About?
SPD911 is hosted by Dr. Jake Tayler Jacobs with leaders Sharon Greene-Golden, Derrick Jones, and Karen Cherry-Brown. Together, they bring decades of experience in healthcare leadership, compliance, and sterile processing.
Each episode covers tough topics like:
Dirty trays making it to surgery rooms
Wet packs and why they keep happening
Why some SPD leaders aren’t ready for their jobs
Why hospitals hire certified techs who still don’t know what they’re doing
How sterile processing departments can get more respect, better pay, and stronger leadership
We share real-life situations from hospitals. These are things that happen every day in SPD departments all over the country. From small hospitals to major healthcare systems, these problems affect patient safety and hospital profits.
Who Is SPD911 For?
SPD techs who want to grow and lead
Managers and supervisors trying to run strong departments
Hospital executives who want to cut costs and reduce patient risk
Anyone in healthcare who wants to understand what really keeps surgery safe
Why Listen to SPD911?
Because sterile processing is one of the most important parts of a hospital—and often the most overlooked. We bring open, honest conversations about:
How leadership changes everything in SPD
Why compliance checklists don’t always mean things are safe
How to build a real career path in sterile processing
How SIPS Healthcare Solutions is helping hospitals fix broken systems with tools like the Sterile by Design framework
Our Promise:
We won’t sugarcoat things. We won’t waste your time.
Real professionals. Real problems. Real solutions.
Because at SPD911, we don’t just process instruments—we process truth.
Watch episodes and join the community: https://spd911.com
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
17 Episodes
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SPD911 Season 2, Episode 6: “Standards Under Fire” 🔥 When the pressure’s on, do you protect the standard — or protect your job? In this powerful episode of SPD911, we’re tackling what happens when doing things the right way collides with doing things the fast way. From ignored IFUs to leadership pushing unsafe shortcuts, this episode is for every SPD professional who’s ever felt stuck between compliance and chaos.
🔍 Episode Scenarios
1️⃣ Getting Staff to Follow IFUs: “What do you do when your team skips steps and says, ‘We’ve always done it this way’?”
2️⃣ Leadership Pressure to Cut Corners: “How do you handle it when management asks you to move faster by bending the rules?”
3️⃣ Documenting Safety Concerns: “How can you protect yourself — and your patients — when reporting noncompliance?”
4️⃣ Convincing Staff That ‘Sterile Is Not Just Clean’: “How do you shift the mindset from ‘looks clean’ to truly sterile?”
5️⃣ Handling Sterilizer Failures: “What’s the right move when SPD gets blamed for something that isn’t your fault?”
💬 Real Talk. Real Leadership. Our hosts break down how to stand firm under pressure, communicate effectively, and lead with integrity even when others don’t. Expect motivational but real-world guidance — not theory, but tactics that protect your license, your department, and your patients.
💡 Closing Wisdom Because upholding standards isn’t about perfection — it’s about commitment. Every host leaves a direct, personal message to the SPD professionals fighting to do what’s right when no one’s watching. “We are the emergency response team for sterile processing.” “From the basement to the boardroom.” “Someone has to be the standard bearer — let it be you.”
🚨 Join the Movement Be part of the Executive Edge Community at SPD911.com .
Get access to: Documentation tools & templates Leadership coaching & support Peer mentorship for standing firm on standards
Season 2 of SPD911 kicks off live from the SIPS Scrub Ball Conference. In this special episode, Dr. Jake, Sharon Green Golden, and Derrick Jones unpack the invisible forces breaking sterile processing departments — from high turnover to unchecked politics inside the hospital.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why some hospitals treat SPD techs as disposable and how to fix it
How real leadership develops talent vs. just filling open slots
Why certified techs still fail without standardization
How SPD leaders can get a true seat at the table with OR, Infection Control, and Hospital Executives
Join the SPD911 Executive Edge Community for live trainings and full replays: https://spd911.com
Listen to SPD911 on Apple Podcasts: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
When culture slips, patient safety follows. In Episode 11 of SPD911, Dr. Jake and Derrick Jones break down the real cracks hiding inside sterile processing departments—where checklists replace competence, seniority replaces accountability, and training stops on paper.
What’s inside this episode:
Why relying on checklists alone puts your hospital at risk
The hard truth about certified techs vs. real performance
How leadership trust gets lost—and how to rebuild it
Why staying too long in one role can stifle department growth
Join the SPD911 Executive Edge Community for live trainings and full replays: https://spd911.com
Listen to SPD911 on Apple Podcasts: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
It’s not always about infection. Sometimes what breaks a sterile processing department is leadership failure, communication gaps, and misplaced trust. In Episode 10 of SPD911, Dr. Jake, Karen Cherry Brown, and Derrick Jones have a raw conversation about why sterile isn’t always safe—and how to rebuild trust before it’s too late.
What’s inside this episode:
Why compliance checklists aren’t enough to keep SPD safe
How leadership handoffs, succession, and trust affect department survival
How to balance micromanagement and leadership without burning out
Why sterile processing is really a profit protector—and how to prove it
Join the SPD911 Executive Edge Community for live trainings and full replays: https://spd911.com
Listen to SPD911 on Apple Podcasts: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
Not every breakdown in sterile processing is visible. In this episode of SPD911, Dr. Jake, Sharon Green Golden, and Derek Jones uncover the hidden risks threatening SPD departments today—from cybersecurity attacks to physical injuries no one is tracking.
In this episode:
How a cyberattack can shut down sterile processing—and how to prepare for it
The real conversation around going green in SPD: cost versus performance
Why cutting traveler staff without a development plan is a guaranteed failure
How poor workstation design is sending SPD techs to workers' comp
For leaders, techs, and executives serious about protecting both patients and staff, this episode pulls no punches.
Join the SPD911 Executive Edge Community for full episode replays and live trainings: https://spd911.com
Listen to SPD911 on Apple Podcasts: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
Night shifts with no backup. Leaders who say help is coming but never deliver. New SPD techs stuck in the no experience, no job cycle. In Episode 7 of SPD911, Dr. Jake, Sharon Green Golden, and Derek Jones break down what really happens when sterile processing professionals feel alone, overworked, and undervalued—and how to actually change it.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
How to document, communicate, and protect yourself when left solo on shift
Why hospitals keep hiring for experience but won’t create experience
How to balance respect, advocacy, and leadership without losing your team
The truth about hero syndrome in SPD and why it hurts more than it helps
Join the SPD911 Executive Edge Community for live trainings and full episode replays: https://spd911.com
Listen to SPD911 on Apple Podcasts: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
In this episode of SPD911, Dr. Jake is joined by SIPS Healthcare founder Karen Cherry Brown and Director of Clinical Operations Derek Jones for a real conversation about the leadership gap in sterile processing.
If you think hard work alone makes a great leader—this episode is for you.
- Why sterile processing leaders fail (even if they’re great techs)
- How to transition from technician to true leader without losing your team
- The real reason hospitals ignore SPD managers—and how to fix it
- How to get leadership buy-in without sounding like you’re just complaining
Join the SPD911 Executive Edge Community (FREE) for live trainings and replays: https://spd911.com
Listen to SPD911 on Apple Podcasts: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
What’s really causing those wet packs, contaminated trays, and ignored water quality reports in your sterile processing department? In Episode 5 of SPD911, Dr. Jake, Sharon Green Golden, and Derek Jones dig into why these issues are more common than people admit—and exactly how to address them.
- How to get your upline to take SPD issues seriously
- Why most SPD managers miss the real source of wet packs
- How to spot fake experience vs. real leadership in hiring
-The simple fix to reverse osmosis tanks, biomed check-ins, and water testing
If you're tired of hearing "that's just how it is"—this episode is your playbook for changing the game.
🎧 Listen to SPD911 on Apple Podcasts: https://spd911.com
Most sterile processing leaders wait until things break before speaking up. In Episode 4 of SPD911, Dr. Jake and Sharon Green Golden break down exactly why that’s the wrong play.
This episode is all about:
- How silent failures in SPD cost lives and lawsuits
- Why managers ignore SPD until it’s too late — and how to change that
- The real reason your hospital won’t invest in your department
- How to get leadership buy-in using Sharon’s “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” method
If you’re tired of waiting for permission to lead, this one’s for you.
Join the SPD911 Executive Edge Community for full access and live Q&A:
https://spd911.com
🎙️ Bred to Lead Podcast: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
Join Dr. Jake Taylor-Jacobs, President of COO Sips Healthcare, as he dives into the most pressing issues facing sterile processing departments (SPD). Together with compliance expert Sharon Green-Golden and operational efficiency specialist Derek Jones Sr., this episode provides a comprehensive look into the unseen challenges faced by SPD professionals, such as the fear culture that silences whistleblowers, and the mental health struggles exacerbated by high-pressure environments. The discussion also explores the silent failures in SPDs that lead to patient safety risks and calls for a shift from reactive to proactive safety measures. Don't miss the opportunity to enhance your leadership skills and workplace strategies as you engage with industry's best practices and expert guidance.
SPD 911 Episode 1: Communication, Accountability & Leadership in Sterile Processing 🚨 "Communication is about talking… but talking without accountability gets you nowhere." – Sharon Greene-Golden 🔥 In this powerful first episode of SPD 911, we break down one of the biggest challenges in Sterile Processing: How can SPD teams improve communication with the OR and set realistic expectations?
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How to document incomplete trays in real-time (before instruments “disappear”)
- Why immediate communication matters – waiting too long skews memory & shifts blame
- How SPD professionals can set boundaries with the OR and advocate for accountability
- The leadership mindset SPD techs need to navigate daily challenges
One Key Takeaway: You can’t just talk—accountability has to follow. If you’re not proving your case with facts, photos, and immediate responses, you’re already losing the battle.
Missed the live session? Watch the full replay now!
Replay available exclusively in the EEC community:
Watch now: https://whop.com/c/executive-edge/ep1
This is more than a discussion—it’s a movement for SPD professionals who are ready to take ownership of their work, improve communication, and lead with confidence.
Drop your takeaways in the comments! Let’s push SPD forward—together.
#SPD911 #SterileProcessing #SIPSHealthcare #Leadership #EECCommunity
#HospitalOperations Like, comment, and SMASH that subscribe button for more.
Connect With Us On Instagram: instagram.com/sipshealthcare
LinkedIN: linkedin.com/company/sipsconsults/
Youtube: @SIPSHEALTHCARE
Website: SIPSHealthCare.com
SPD911 Season 2, Episode 5: Staffing & Workload Nightmares Understaffed. Overworked. Burned out. In this episode of SPD911, we tackle the top staffing struggles sterile processing professionals face every day: How to speak up about chronic understaffing without retaliation What to do when you’re forced to cover multiple roles in one shift How to push for realistic staffing levels in trauma hospitals Ways to manage burnout when vacations aren’t approved and shifts run long How to prioritize urgent trays and last-minute OR requests under pressure 💡 Practical strategies + motivational guidance to help SPD pros stay safe, resilient, and effective. 👥 Join the free Executive Edge Community → SPD911.com 📌 Get resources: staffing models, workload trackers, and leadership training 🔜 Next Week: The Leadership Ladder — From Tech to Supervisor SPD911: From the basement to the boardroom, we are the emergency response team for sterile processing. 👉 Like, subscribe, and share to support the SPD community!
Daily tension. Pointing fingers. Delayed cases. In this episode we stop the spiral and show exactly how leaders reset the relationship between SPD and the OR—without compromising safety, standards, or respect.
What we cover (scenarios) Constant Conflict Between SPD & OR — How do I stop the daily firefights and reset collaboration? SPD Blamed for Canceled Cases — How do I respond when SPD gets scapegoated—even when root cause is upstream? Escalating OR Errors — What’s the right way to escalate repeated issues without escalating the drama? Educating OR on Instrument Care — How do we train up without sounding condescending? Building Trust with Surgeons — How do we earn credibility with surgeons who dismiss SPD? You’ll walk away with A blame-to-process script that redirects heat toward facts, standards, and fixes.
A closed-loop pathway for errors (report → huddle → corrective action → verify). A simple education plan for the OR (micro in-services, visual cues, return audits). A surgeon trust playbook (preference card alignment, proactive briefs, rapid-recover tactics). Metrics that change behavior: tray completeness %, return condition score, delay minutes, IUSS trends. Closing Wisdom We speak directly to techs and leaders who feel invisible or unfairly blamed. Professionalism + consistency change cultures. Take one step this week: educate, communicate, or de-escalate—then repeat. Join the community (free) Level up your leadership inside Executive Edge → SPD911.com Mentorship, playbooks, and peers who’ve solved the same SPD–OR tensions.
Next Week Episode 5: “Compliance Under Pressure: Meeting Standards When You’re Short on Time.” How to stay aligned with AAMI/Joint Commission when the workload feels impossible. Helpful resources mentioned SIPS Next Step Leadership (career pathway + conflict tools) Scrub Ball networking for building OR relationships Additional templates & reading inside Executive Edge. ––– From the basement to the boardroom.
We’re the emergency response team for sterile processing. Why not you? #SPD911 #SterileProcessing #OperatingRoom #OR #Perioperative #PatientSafety #HealthcareLeadership #AAMI #JointCommission
Toxic culture in Sterile Processing can feel like an impossible battle — shortcuts ignored, unsafe practices overlooked, morale sinking, and favoritism running wild. But how do you keep your standards (and your sanity) when the department around you feels broken?
In this powerful live episode, the SPD911 crew tackles five real-world scenarios that many technicians face every day:
Cutting Corners in SPD: What do you do when coworkers skip steps and management looks the other way?
Reporting Unsafe Practices: How can you escalate issues without being labeled a “troublemaker”?
Confronting Supervisors: What’s the right way to challenge a leader who ignores IFUs?
Keeping Morale Up: How do you stay motivated when turnover, stress, and negativity dominate? Favoritism in the Department: How can you navigate unfair promotions and biased treatment? Each scenario will be broken down with honest discussion, real strategies, and guidance from leaders who have been in the trenches.
The episode will close with direct messages from each host, encouraging resilience and reminding SPD professionals that toxic culture does not define their value, their future, or their impact on patient care. Plus:
✅ Join the free SPD911 Community at SPD911.com for leadership development, peer support, and mentorship.
✅ Access resources like the SIPS Next Step Leadership Program and upcoming events such as The Scrub Ball, where culture and leadership are front and center. This is more than a conversation. It’s a survival guide for anyone working in SPD under toxic conditions — and a roadmap toward healthier teams and stronger leadership.
👉 Don’t just endure toxic culture. Learn how to rise above it.
In this episode, we tackle the real struggles SPD techs face when stepping up to leadership. From the certification vs. experience dilemma, to prepping for your first management interview, to deciding if leadership is even the right move for you—we cover it all.
We’ll also dig into the skills gap that separates great techs from great managers and how to communicate with executives who don’t “get” SPD. Tune in for real talk, practical strategies, and encouragement as you prepare to break through from the basement to the boardroom.
Explore the podcast...
Sterile processing departments don’t just break down from audits or missing trays—most of the damage happens from the inside. In this episode of SPD911, Dr. Jake, Sharon Green Golden, and Karen Cherry Brown take on the real internal battles: night shift getting ignored, uneven training, decon avoidance, and toxic team habits that destroy departments from within.
In this episode:
How to create real accountability between shifts without causing division
Why one-size-fits-all training fails—and how to fix it
How to break the habit of techs refusing to rotate or avoiding decon
Why leadership presence matters more than memos or emails
Join the SPD911 Executive Edge Community for live trainings and full replays: https://spd911.com
Listen to SPD911 on Apple Podcasts: https://sipshealthcare.com/podcast
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