Last Thursday we got confirmation of the destruction of the submersible Titan and the loss of all onboard. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those lost to what was a completely avoidable fate. Was this a tragedy of simple mechanical failure or is there more to consider? Indeed, catastrophic implosion at great depth is a disaster, but what is the root cause of the failure?
Consider the job the egg has to do; top of the list is protect the contents from physical damage and maintain the sterile environment within. Hmmm, sound familiar. Structurally the egg is incredibly strong. The reason is the egg's arched shape. Engineers and architects know that an arch is one of the strongest forms around. The smooth curve of an arch can support the weight of buildings and bridges for hundreds of years. Look at a SteriTite container, you’ll see the arched curves throughout, the rounded corners of lid and base, the arch like form of the lid channel...
Once upon a time, Case Medical designed and manufactured custom graphics trays (loaners) for other medical device companies at a time when sterilization modalities were evolving. Users were advocating for a replacement for wrap to avoid tears, OR delays and cancelled cases. No one wanted to wrap anymore. But, was there any sealed container that could adapt to future needs?
It’s been over thirty years since my husband, and I founded Case Medical. My husband loves renovation, but I prefer innovation. We have been challenged over the years with various moves and projects. Doing a home renovation is challenging enough, but imagine taking an existing structure and retrofitting it to become an advanced manufacturing facility, meeting the most current standards...
Management by walking around is a strategy where managers leave their desks and walk around the workplace to understand employees and their ongoing work better. You can learn a lot by just walking around your facility and paying attention to your environment. As a matter of fact, that’s often how we find ways to help you, our customers and develop products to meet your needs. One of our sales team was recounting that on a recent visit to an SPD he noticed the sad state of many of the department’s rigid containers. The containers were covered with tape and permanent marker scribbles. Needless to say, Case Solutions Ink & Adhesive Remover was the right product for the job. The broader point is that sometimes we become so used to our surroundings that we don’t see the obvious anymore. This is where we can help.
Have you ever noticed as you’re waiting to board a flight that the pilot will do a walk around of the plane. He’ll look at the front wheels, walk underneath and shine a flashlight into an open compartment, take a moment to inspect the fuel connection and then the wings. The pre-flight checklist is done so the pilot knows the plane is safe to fly it's one of the reasons flying is so safe.
Education lays the groundwork needed to feel confident in our abilities and helps us find our passions in life. If you think back to when you’re just learning a new task it can seem quite overwhelming. Thirty years ago, when Case Medical was just getting started making our first trays seemed almost impossible, but we kept at it...
Common sense is sound, practical judgment concerning everyday matters. Funny how the common sense things we do at home can translate into best practices on the job. Take for example the dirty dishes after breakfast, dried on egg yolk can be tough as heck to wash off by hand, let alone expecting the dishwasher to clean it. So, at home we rinse the dishes before they go into the dishwasher. The same holds true when it comes to pre-cleaning medical devices like endoscopes with many passages to clean inside and out...
There is a very important principle when it comes to operations, process and sterilization outcome called parametric release. What this means is that when all parameters are set and equipment properly functioning, the outcome will always be positive and predictable...
Do you worry about what goes into your body; what chemicals might be going into your children? The list keeps growing and now there are “Forever Chemicals” that never break down and go away, in fact, these compounds may take hundreds, or even thousands, of years to break down...