Posting With Purpose: Avoiding Social Media Pitfalls in Sterile Processing

Sterile processing professionals are increasingly active on social media, using platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to share success stories, ask for guidance, or show off department milestones. But Deannard Esnard, CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL, CFER, CQUIA, chief of sterile processing operations for the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center, is urging caution. In his presentation at this year’s (2025) Healthcare Sterile Processing Association Annual Conference, he addressed the growing need to optimize health care content and avoid unintended consequences.

“My presentation was to help those persons in the health care space to learn how to know what a good post is versus a bad post, not to create content adequately,” Esnard said.

While posts may be well-intentioned, background details, such as improperly stored instruments, double-stacked loads, or confidential information, can inadvertently reveal noncompliance with standards. Even asking for help online can lead to exposure if sensitive documentation, like a load record, is posted without context. These images can raise questions about departmental practices and invite scrutiny from accrediting bodies or legal professionals.

Asna emphasized the need to understand what makes a safe and effective post. He concluded his session with an interactive exercise, where attendees edited sample images to remove potentially risky elements before sharing them publicly.

“At the end of my presentation, I let folks download an image and edit portions of that image out [so] they could post it adequately,” Esnard said. “It's sometimes where a person's posts, you may have things in the background that may not be relevant to the exact post. You may have a wrap, a wrap tray. You may say, “Oh, hey, I wrapped this tree today,” and it looks really good. But in your background, you have your building boards. You have your loads, which may be double-stacked. You [may have] washers that are double stacked, or you may be engaging in an improper practice. So, I wanted to bring that to light to be aware of the surroundings when taking images, video, etc, that may cause adverse effects in terms of employment.”

Ultimately, the goal is awareness. Whether showcasing departmental achievements or seeking advice, professionals should evaluate every image and caption through a compliance and privacy lens. Responsible posting not only protects the facility but also reinforces the integrity of the sterile processing profession.