Annexes 2a – Shark Tank Creative Activity: Understanding Automated Washers

Automated washers are a critical component of effective medical device reprocessing, but not all washers are created equal. In this interactive, team based activity, you’ll learn the fundamentals of automated washer technology, including the key differences between low, medium, and high impingement systems, as well as important washer testing methods and result interpretation.

Then it’s time to get creative! Working in your team as your own fictional washer company, you’ll design an innovative automated washer and develop a marketing strategy to showcase its unique features and benefits. Finally, present your creation to a panel of “sharks” in a Shark Tank style pitch competition. Compete for prizes while demonstrating your knowledge, creativity, and understanding of automated washer performance.  

Meet the speakers:

Adam Okada – Clinical Education Specialist for Healthmark a Getinge company. Adam has 19 years of experience in Sterile Processing and is passionate about helping improve the quality of patient care by giving SPD professionals and their infection prevention partners greater access to education and information. He has worked in just about every position in the Sterile Processing Department including Case Cart Builder, SPD Tech I, II, and III, Lead Tech, Tracking System Analyst, Supervisor of both SPD and HLD, Manager, and now as an Educator. Adam is currently a Clinical Education Specialist at Healthmark, a Getinge company, where he works on Healthmark webinars and hybrid events, educational videos, as well as the Ask the Educator Podcast with Kevin Anderson.

Michael Matthews, MBA, CLSSGB, CRCST, CIS, CHL currently serves as a Clinical Education Manager for Healthmark – A Gettinge Company. He previously held the position of Director of Customer Training and Education for Agiliti. Prior to Agiliti’s acquisition of Northfield Medical, Michael served as Director of Clinical Education and Training for Northfield Medical in addition to former roles of Territory Manager for the Little Rock, Arkansas area, and a Clinical Education Manager for the southeast region. Before working at Northfield, Michael served as the manager for sterile processing at Baptist-Health Medical Center-Conway, Arkansas. During this time Michael also served as an Infection Preventionist on a PRN basis to consult on reprocessing services throughout the Baptist-Health system. Michael holds an MBA and has also been certified as a Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt. He has published articles in Infection Control Today, Becker’s Hospital Review, Healthcare Purchasing News, as well as a frequent conference speaker on sterile processing related topics. Michael is also a former cohost of the Beyond Clean podcast.