Problems in the Pipes: Is Water Causing Your Black Specks?

When black specks show up in your trays, water is often the first suspect—but is it really to blame? In this episode of “What the Speck?,” Christian Abell from Aesculap’s Surgical Asset Management team dives into one of the most common theories behind the black speck mystery: water quality. From city water changes and construction disturbances to failing filters and aging equipment, Christian breaks down how contaminants can make their way from the pipes into your reprocessing workflows. If you’ve ever suspected the culprit might be hiding somewhere in your water system, the trail of clues may lead straight to the pipes.

Over the next 6 weeks, this series dives into one of sterile processing’s most frustrating challenges—black specks. From water and steam quality to department culture, risk assessments, and root cause analysis, we’re digging into every angle to uncover real answers (and real solutions) for your SPD.

A special thanks to our sponsor, Aesculap®, for supporting this podcast series!

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