Reusable medical devices and equipment are essential to healthcare delivery, but inadequate cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization can create significant risks for patient safety, including the transmission of pathogens and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). This three-part webinar series explores the infection prevention challenges associated with reusable medical equipment, providing healthcare professionals with practical knowledge and strategies to strengthen reprocessing practices. Participants will examine common sources and pathways of contamination, explore infection mitigation strategies, and gain a better understanding of the factors that contribute to safe and effective device reprocessing.
The series will also explore the system-level factors that support successful steam sterilization, including water quality, infrastructure, equipment, staffing, and workflows, as well as the unique cleaning and disinfection challenges associated with infusion pumps, anesthesia units, and ventilators. Through real-world examples, industry guidance, and practical strategies, participants will gain insights to improve reprocessing processes, align practices with manufacturer instructions and industry standards, reduce infection risks, and support patient safety, regulatory compliance, and equipment longevity.
Registration Pricing
THA QPS Flagship programs (PSO, PRN, CAHQI): $300 for entire series
THA Member: $500 for entire series
Non-THA Member: $600 for entire series
This registration rate allows unlimited attendees from your facility. This rate is not applicable to unlimited attendees across a hospital system.
Target Audience:
This webinar series is designed for healthcare professionals involved in infection prevention, sterile processing, medical device reprocessing, and healthcare equipment management. It is particularly valuable for infection preventionists, sterile processing technicians and leaders, operating room personnel, biomedical and clinical engineers, respiratory therapists, healthcare quality and patient safety professionals, and hospital administrators responsible for ensuring the safe cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of reusable medical devices and equipment.
Continuing Education:
Continuing Nursing Education credit hours have been applied for and are pending approval. Additional details regarding available contact hours will be provided as soon as the approval process is complete.
Course Agenda:
Thursday, January 7, 12p – 1:30p CST: Understanding healthcare-associated infection risks associated with reusable medical equipment.
Thursday, January 14, 12p – 1:30p CST: Following the Instrument – Building a System for Successful Steam Sterilization
Thursday, January 21, 12p – 1:30p CST: Beyond the instruction for use – Infusion pumps, anesthesia units, and ventilators
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this three-part webinar series, participants will be able to:
1. Identify common reusable medical devices and equipment associated with healthcare-associated infections, describe at least two pathways of contamination, and recognize pathogens commonly linked to device-related infections.
2. Describe the key stages of the surgical instrument reprocessing lifecycle and explain how water quality, infrastructure, equipment, and workflow contribute to successful steam sterilization, including identifying at least two system-level factors that may contribute to reprocessing defects or failures.
3. Apply manufacturer instructions for use, industry standards, and infection prevention principles to identify appropriate cleaning and disinfection practices for frequently used devices.
Faculty:
Brad Bonnette, BS, MAS
Brad Bonnette is a Senior Consultant in the Device Safety group. He is a biomedical engineer who started his career in the medical device industry designing CPAP masks. In the 20 years he has been with ECRI, he has developed subject matter expertise on medication administration, anesthesia and respiratory care technologies, home care and wearables, and sleep apnea detection and treatment
James Davis, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, CIC, FAPIC
James Davis is Principal Consultant for Infection Prevention and Control Solutions at ECRI, an independent nonprofit dedicated to improving the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of patient care worldwide.
With over 25 years of experience spanning critical care nursing, infection prevention, and patient safety consulting, James has led state and national infection control initiatives—most recently working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s statewide outbreak response program for long-term care facilities. He holds credentials as a Registered Nurse, Certified in Infection Control (CIC), a Critical Care Registered Nurse–Knowledge Professional (CCRN-K), and is a Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Prevention (FAPIC). A past president of the Delaware Valley and Philadelphia APIC chapter and former chair of APIC’s National Research Committee, James is also an award-winning researcher—his work with ECRI colleagues on isolation gown safety earned AAMI’s Best Research Article recognition. He has authored more than two dozen peer-reviewed publications and contributed to a recent multi-volume AHRQ evidence report on hospital device safety, and he regularly speaks at national conferences on topics ranging from sterilization practices to emerging infection threats.
Hillary Hei, MPH, CIC, LSSGB, FAPIC
Hillary Hei is a Lead Consultant in Infection Prevention at ECRI and adjunct faculty at Drexel University School of Public Health. With expertise spanning pediatric care, long-term care, sterile processing, and dental infection control, she is committed to advancing patient safety and infection prevention across healthcare settings. Hillary is a Fellow of the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), has served on APIC’s Research Committee, and is the Director of Professional Development for her local APIC Chapter. She holds certifications in Infection Control and Lean Six Sigma.
S. Mukui Mutunga, Ph.D.
Mukui is a Senior Consultant in Device Safety where she develops and executes test protocols to evaluate various medical devices, including infusion pumps, across performance, safety, workflow, usability, maintenance, cybersecurity, and interoperability criteria. Her evaluations uncover strengths, limitations, and implementation challenges that help healthcare leaders make informed purchasing decisions and establish use standards to support quality care.
Building on the expertise she develops through these evaluations, Mukui also conducts independent forensic investigations involving medical devices. When incidents or adverse events occur, healthcare organizations rely on her analysis to determine whether technology may have contributed to the event. Through systematic device testing, and assessment of clinical use, she helps clients understand factors that contribute to adverse incidents and strengthen governance and safety protocols. Mukui’s work is guided by a simple principle: technology should support safe and efficient care while making the right decision the easiest one to make.
Questions? Please contact Nina Costilla, Program Manager at [email protected]