From Need to Investment: Building the Business Case for Medical Device Reprocesing (MDR) Growth

This session provides practical strategies for securing support and resources to expand medical device reprocessing (MDR) programs. Learn how to use the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) model to craft persuasive business cases, identify funding opportunities, and leverage vendor and organizational resources. Attendees will gain actionable tips for aligning requests with standards, demonstrating value to stakeholders and driving sustainable MDR growth. Using evidence-based guidelines and actionable templates, attendees will gain confidence in preparing compelling proposals for equipment, training, and process improvements. The session emphasizes the importance of data-driven assessments, clear documentation, and persistent advocacy to drive sustainable MDR growth and ensure the highest standards of patient and staff safety.

Meet the speaker:

Marie Brewer, LSSBB, CST, CHL, CRCST, CIS, GTS, is a sterile processing, perioperative, and user experience strategy leader with more than 25 years of experience connecting frontline clinical practice, operational leadership, education, and product innovation. As Senior Director of User Experience (UX) and Clinical Strategy at STERIS, she focuses on advancing Voice of Customer insights, usability, clinical workflow alignment, and innovation across sterile processing solutions. Prior to joining industry, Ms. Brewer led sterile processing operations at UnityPoint Health System, where she directed system-wide initiatives in infection prevention, education, technology adoption, supply chain, value analytics, and best practice standardization. Her clinical background includes roles as a Surgical Technologist, First Assistant, and Regional Sterile Processing Manager, giving her a practical understanding of the pressures, risks, and workflow realities faced by perioperative and sterile processing teams. Ms. Brewer is the Past President of the Central Service Association of Iowa HSPA Chapter and has held national leadership roles within HSPA, including Chair of the Chapter Committee and is a member of the HSPA Advisory Council. She is an active ANSI/AAMI contributor and former columnist for HSPA’s Process magazine. A frequent speaker on sterile processing quality, risk reduction, leadership, and standards-based practice, she is known for connecting technical requirements, frontline realities, governance considerations, and leadership decision-making in a way that is practical, relatable, and immediately actionable.