Beyond the Surface - an ISSA Podcast

Understanding UV Disinfection Technologies

In this episode, Linda Lybert sits down with Peter Gordon, Board of Education member, UV industry veteran, and volunteer with UV4Good, a nonprofit dedicated to education around photonic disinfection. Together, they unpack the complexities healthcare leaders face when choosing and using UV systems. Peter breaks down: * The different types of UV emitters (LED, mercury, xenon) and what they’re actually good for * Why line‑of‑sight, room layout, and human behavior can make or break effectiveness * How to evaluate sales claims, ask the right questions, and avoid costly missteps * What the EPA, FDA, and UK regulators are — and aren’t — doing * How hospitals can validate performance, build staff habits, and monitor long‑term effectiveness * The “Goldilocks zone” of UV: balancing pathogen reduction with protecting hospital materials Whether you’re an infection preventionist, environmental services leader, or just curious about the technology behind safer healthcare environments, this conversation delivers clarity, nuance, and practical guidance straight from someone who has lived it from both the technical and educational sides.

Building a Culture of Prevention

In this episode, public health leader and combat veteran Aaron Woodall joins Linda Lybert to explore the importance of collaboration across infection prevention, environmental services, and nursing teams. Together, they discuss how shared accountability, education, and proactive leadership can reduce healthcare-associated infections and strengthen safety culture in every facility.

An Expert’s View From the Hospital Bed: Inside the ER Experience

In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner shares what it was like to spend 14 hours as a patient in a busy hospital emergency department. From observing cleaning practices to noticing gaps in infection prevention and staff training, Gavin offers a rare dual perspective—both as a healthcare safety expert and as someone receiving care. Together with host Linda, they discuss the unseen risks patients and families should be aware of, the importance of environmental services in infection control, and how a culture of safety must extend beyond patients to include staff, equipment, and the built environment.

Why Clean Environments Save Lives: Patient Safety & Environmental Services

In this episode, we sit down with Iris Verdi, Director of Strategic Accounts for Healthcare at KBS, to explore the critical role of environmental services in patient safety.  With more than 25 years of experience in hospital operations and EVS leadership, Iris shares how the focus in healthcare has shifted from “looking clean” to ensuring true disinfection and compliance. She opens up about the ongoing challenge of balancing patient flow with thorough cleaning, her personal experience as a patient in an unclean hospital environment, and why empowering frontline staff is key to infection prevention. From operating rooms to emergency departments, Iris highlights the need for better training, leadership engagement, and investment in cleaning as part of quality care. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, facilities leader, or patient advocate, this candid conversation underscores why clean environments save lives.

The Disease Detective: Making the Invisible Visible in Healthcare Cleaning

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, trained epidemiologist and senior director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), joins Linda to explore the critical gap between regulatory compliance and real-world cleaning practices.  From navigating FDA requirements to addressing on-the-ground challenges in hospitals, Gavin shares stories from the front lines—including a transformative project in Fiji that reduced hospital-acquired infections through practical, measurable solutions. The discussion also dives into the complexities of cleaning medical devices, mattresses, and other high-touch surfaces, and how shifting from a culture of fear to a culture of safety can drive lasting change in infection prevention.  Visit issa.com/healthcare [https://www.issa.com/healthcare] for updates!