Sterile Processing Enzymatic Detergents in Decon, and Cleaner MD w/ Jim Epstein and David Jagrosse

Sterile processing departments are under pressure to do more, faster, and with less room for error - and the wrong chemistry can quietly cost time, money, and outcomes. Jim Epstein of Intercon Chemical and veteran SPD leader David Jagrosse reveal how smarter cleaning chemistry, water-aware formulations, and direct-from-manufacturer support are helping departments work more efficiently without sacrificing efficacy. Intercon has spent decades behind the scenes shaping the chemistry used in SPD, from early partnerships with AMSCO and Getinge to innovations that pushed the industry toward super concentrates and compact, high-performance solutions. Jim explains how that experience in laundry, dishwashing, food safety, and household cleaning led to Cleaner MD, a product line designed to solve real-world reprocessing challenges, not just check a box on a spec sheet. You'll discover why water quality can make or break cleaning performance, how cycle time savings can translate into major capacity gains, and why "price per bottle" can be a misleading way to evaluate the true cost of a cleaning program. David adds the frontline perspective, showing how value analysis, utility water, and in-use testing shape the decisions SPD leaders actually have to make. The conversation also unpacks the practical benefits of reducing product complexity with solutions like One and Done, which can streamline workflows and eliminate costly mistakes. This episode goes beyond chemistry - it makes the case that SPD deserves more recognition as the unsung hero of infection prevention. If you work in sterile processing, value analysis, infection prevention, hospital operations, or OR support, this conversation gives you a sharper lens for choosing products that improve outcomes, protect staff, and free up resources where they matter most. Essential listening if you want to understand how innovation in cleaning chemistry is helping departments save time, reduce risk, and get better results from every cycle. And if you've ever wondered whether your current chemistry is truly optimized for your water, your workflow, and your instruments, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Guest credibility: Jim Epstein is the founder and CEO of Intercon Chemical, a company with more than four decades of experience manufacturing chemistry across SPD, laundry, food safety, and more. David Jagrosse, CRCST, CHL, is a long-time sterile processing leader, former HSPA president, and voting member on multiple AAMI work groups, bringing decades of real-world SPD expertise.