The Surface Problem No One Owns in Healthcare

In this episode, we dive into a completely overlooked surface and discuss a comment that was made recently as a person tried to understand what do surfaces have to do with EVS and cleaning and disinfection.Justin McKay, Co-Founder of RadCare Services, shares the personal story that sparked his mission to change how healthcare systems approach cleaning, disinfection, and accountability. After experiencing a preventable infection from shared protective equipment, Justin uncovered a widespread gap: no clear ownership, inconsistent cleaning practices, and limited guidance from manufacturers.What he found was alarming. From porous materials that harbor biofilm to “cleaning” processes that skip critical steps, many healthcare environments are unintentionally creating risk for both patients and staff.Together, we explore:Why you cannot disinfect a contaminated surfaceBiofilm and the challenges associated with killing and removing itThe gap between manufacturer instructions and real-world healthcare conditionsThe hidden dangers of “high-touch” assumptions and human behaviorWhy surfaces like lead aprons are ignored—but frequently touch patientsThis episode is a call to action for healthcare leaders, infection prevention professionals, and anyone responsible for patient safety.Because in healthcare, what you can’t see can absolutely impact outcomes.