In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner shares what it was like to spend 14 hours as a patient in a busy hospital emergency department. From observing cleaning practices to noticing gaps in infection prevention and staff training, Gavin offers a rare dual perspective—both as a healthcare safety expert and as someone receiving care. Together with host Linda, they discuss the unseen risks patients and families should be aware of, the importance of environmental services in infection control, and how a culture of safety must extend beyond patients to include staff, equipment, and the built environment.

In this episode, we sit down with Iris Verdi, Director of Strategic Accounts for Healthcare at KBS, to explore the critical role of environmental services in patient safety.

With more than 25 years of experience in hospital operations and EVS leadership, Iris shares how the focus in healthcare has shifted from “looking clean” to ensuring true disinfection and compliance. She opens up about the ongoing challenge of balancing patient flow with thorough cleaning, her personal experience as a patient in an unclean hospital environment, and why empowering frontline staff is key to infection prevention. From operating rooms to emergency departments, Iris highlights the need for better training, leadership engagement, and investment in cleaning as part of quality care.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, facilities leader, or patient advocate, this candid conversation underscores why clean environments save lives.

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, trained epidemiologist and senior director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), joins Linda to explore the critical gap between regulatory compliance and real-world cleaning practices.

From navigating FDA requirements to addressing on-the-ground challenges in hospitals, Gavin shares stories from the front lines—including a transformative project in Fiji that reduced hospital-acquired infections through practical, measurable solutions. The discussion also dives into the complexities of cleaning medical devices, mattresses, and other high-touch surfaces, and how shifting from a culture of fear to a culture of safety can drive lasting change in infection prevention.

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