In this episode, we talk with John LaRochelle, a long-standing contributor and board member at TIPS, and President of  Lighthouse Environmental Infection Prevention.

To gain a deeper understanding of John's impact, I turned to Michael Diamond, who succinctly framed John's journey: 'John has dedicated his career to uplifting those in the least paid positions. His advocacy and development of technologies and programs have not only enhanced environmental cleaning but also empowered and elevated the cleaners themselves.'

John's life and career are fundamentally about empowering and engaging the everyday cleaner.

During our discussion, we explored several key themes:

• John's journey and career in the cleaning industry
• His progression from a cleaner to a manager and eventually an industry leader.
• Strategies to offer similar growth opportunities to your employees.
• The importance of respecting cleaners, both as individuals and in their roles, and the impact of making them feel valued.
• The extensive and varied benefits that arise from this approach.

John's narrative is an inspirational tale of discovering one's true calling, climbing the ranks in an industry, and consistently making a meaningful difference in the world.

For full show notes and links, visit https://deepdive.tips 

The cleaning industry has long been focused on the concept of contact time. But what happens between cleanings? This question grows increasingly pertinent as we navigate both labor shortages and heightened expectations of cleanliness and safety from customers, guests, and patients.

A potential part of the solution lies in long-lasting disinfection technology.

In this episode, we talk with Jay Denktash and Amit Sehgal from Solvay about the science underpinning long-lasting surface disinfection.

This concept isn't new. Scientists have been exploring it since the late 1990s, achieving some success. The industry has managed to produce long-lasting disinfectants, but their user experience often left much to be desired. They might emit a strong odor, leave a sticky residue, or simply be difficult to use.

When Solvay took on this challenge, they placed a high priority on aesthetics. To truly succeed, they needed to create a product that was both effective and appealing to end-users.

Jay and Amit recount how Solvay harnessed its extensive range of over 2,000 surfactants and polymers, applying its vast expertise to overcome usability issues and develop the innovative Actizone® technology.

The task of creating a product that both cleans effectively and lasts a long time is monumental, and the science behind it is FASCINATING. Jay and Amit break it down in an easily understandable manner. I'm confident you’ll find it as enlightening as I did.

We also delve into how Solvay fostered an internal startup culture to nurture this innovation and discuss the challenges they faced in introducing such a novel product to the market – a process supported by the TIPS Science to Market program.

For full show notes and links, visit https://deepdive.tips

On this episode, we're joined by Shari Solomon, the President of CleanHealth Environmental LLC, and a TIPS Advisory Council member.

Shari's journey in the world of environmental policy and law began with a deep-seated interest in environmental matters. Her desire to influence and effect change led her to study law, which subsequently led her to Capitol Hill, where she dedicated her time to shaping environmental policies. During this period, Shari's fascination with Indoor Air Quality took root, specifically focusing on infection risks posed by microorganisms in the air, such as mold.

Driven by the urge to have a more hands-on and direct impact on these crucial issues, Shari established CleanHealth Environmental nine years ago, and she hasn't looked back since.

Today, Shari brings her diverse perspectives to the forefront, assisting healthcare facilities in comprehending the complex web of laws, rules, and regulations that govern them. She constructs tailored programs and standard operating procedures to ensure effective, efficient, and consistent execution of these regulations.

Done right, or conversely, done wrong, these aspects have a significant influence on the day-to-day operations of healthcare facilities. They play a pivotal role in ensuring patient safety, staff training and safety, and the ability to retain those staff. These aspects can also affect patient satisfaction scores, which, in turn, can impact revenue.

Navigating the intricacies of healthcare requires a nuanced approach, and Shari adeptly breaks down the complexities to show us that achieving excellence in all these areas is not only possible but necessary.

In this episode, we also delve into the updated ICRA 2.0, a Healthcare renovation and maintenance industry standard that helps us evaluate the risks involved in construction or renovation activities within active healthcare facilities. Shari provides insights into what ICRA 2.0 is, who should be concerned, what's new, and how to prepare for it.

Prepare for a comprehensive crash course on Infection Prevention and Industrial Hygiene, guided by someone who is truly making a difference.

For full show notes and links visit https://deepdive.tips