Ascendco Health

As we recognize Patient Safety Awareness Week, we must acknowledge that patient safety starts with supporting those who care for them. Burnout in the healthcare sector is a growing crisis. Nearly 1 in 3 healthcare workers experience burnout at any given time, a clear symptom of deep systemic issues. With case volume and stress rising steadily, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily demands. As healthcare leaders, we must listen to our teams, address inefficiencies, and create systems that foster resilience and support. After all, just like an untreated infection, burnout doesn’t remain isolated—it spreads, disrupting the very system meant to heal patients. A truly supportive culture does more than improve workflow; it boosts morale, increases retention, and empowers teams. When we recognize individual contributions, we build a more engaged and collaborative workplace. Navigating these challenges requires actionable solutions. Let’s prioritize the well-being of our healthcare heroes, so we can ensure the best outcomes for both staff and patients alike.

Healthcare organizations are navigating evolving challenges in resource management—from minimizing medical waste to ensuring compliance with sterilization standards like AAMI TIR 99. With healthcare CEOs identifying 2025 priorities, the focus on quality sterilization and every-load monitoring is clearer than ever. As the industry moves toward more efficient, data-driven solutions, investing in smarter workflows isn’t just about compliance—it’s about patient safety, cost savings, and sustainable operations. Stay ahead with insights on what’s shaping the future of sterile processing.

Staffing isn’t just about numbers, it’s about precision. William Estes, Principal Data Scientist at Ascendco Health, is redefining how hospitals measure and optimize their workforce. From facilities with 6 FTEs to those with over 100, his team is calibrating KPIs, enhancing survey readiness, and ensuring staff are heard. Surgical precision starts long before the first incision—with the people who make sure every detail is right.

When it comes to sterilizing surgical trays, there are two main options: disposable blue wraps and reusable rigid containers. Blue Wraps: Lower upfront cost, lightweight, and flexible—but they generate significant medical waste and can tear easily, risking contamination. Rigid Containers: More durable, provide better sterility protection, and reduce waste—but they require a higher initial investment and more storage space. Understanding these pros and cons helps hospitals make informed decisions for efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability.

Another Fantastic Go-Live with Ascendco Health in Johnston City, TN! We're thrilled to announce yet another successful go-live event with our amazing partner, Ascendco, right here in Johnston City, TN! This collaboration continues to bring cutting-edge solutions and exceptional service to the forefront of healthcare operations.

Dr. Peter Nichol breaks down a harsh reality: the largest generation in U.S. history is heading into its most healthcare-intensive years, while the workforce is shrinking. By 2051, hospitals will face an overwhelming demand for surgical care—knee replacements, heart surgeries, cancer treatments—at levels never seen before. Even if hospitals optimize scheduling and hit 90% utilization, that’s a 20%+ increase in workload. But will they have the staff? The instruments? The resources to keep up? The challenge ahead isn’t just about scheduling, it’s about strategic preparation. Data-driven solutions, smarter workflows, and efficiency-focused technology are no longer optional; they’re critical.

Action Requested: We Need Your Voice! Unlike other healthcare fields, SPD lacks the research, data and advocacy needed to truly showcase its impact. It’s frustrating to work so hard behind the scenes, only to have limited industry wide support to back you up. SPD and OR professionals deserve better—that’s why we’ve partnered with Aesculap (US) to launch this year’s Industry Benchmark Survey. We’ve been invited to publish these results in an academic journal with Peter Nichol, but real change starts with real data. To make a true impact, we need your honest insights to build a strong foundation for industry-wide progress. It’s time to step up, speak out, and advocate for our frontline staff. I urge you to take the survey today and repost it to be part of the movement.

Healthcare software systems are designed to improve compliance and patient outcomes through real-time alerts. But when notifications become excessive, alarm fatigue sets in, leading to desensitization, missed critical alerts, and reduced compliance. How can we find the right balance between necessary alerts and overwhelming noise? With proper implementation and usage of alerts, facilities can improve compliance and patient outcomes.

Repair and Reprocess cycles can be key data points when wanting to follow proper standards and elongate the life of instruments. These key pieces allow inventory and the instruments within them to be monitored and suggested for repair without causing disruption to the workflow. Reprocess cycles create visibility outside of having to physically look at scopes and get notifications when something is due to be reprocessed as it has been on the shelf for over the allotted time. Using repair and reprocessing cycles keeps sterile processing departments held to standards while also ensuring proper instrumentation management.

Before a surgeon picks up an instrument, the sterile processing team ensures it’s safe, sterile, and ready to perform. From decontamination to sterilization and storage, each step in the process keeps patients safe and surgeries running smoothly. The precision and care behind the scenes make all the difference in the Operating Room. Here’s how each step comes together to make it happen. ⬇️