Working in a healthcare environment requires an intimate knowledge of issues that are critical to the safety and health of patients, staff and visitors in a facility. One “hot-button” issue is infection control whereby patients contract an infection while in a medical facility. There are over 100,000 reported deaths attributed to acquired infections. One area thought to be a contributor to this problem is during the construction process.
TRAVELING FUNGI
Renovations and modifications are a continuous part of an evolving facility but there needs to be a well thought out plan to deal with the dust and airborne microorganisms that are commonly found. The removal of walls and working in ceiling spaces causes a release of “opportunistic microbes” that travel through the air. Immune compromised patients are more susceptible to these organisms with the most common being the aspergillus fungi.
ICRA
Health care facilities have gone a long way into developing programs and procedures to limit infections. The Infection Control Preventionist is part of a team who performs an ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) during the planning and design phase of a project in accordance with the AIA/FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities. Part of this determines the potential spread of infections and enables design professionals to incorporate specific construction-related requirements of ICRA into contract documents.
These requirements may include using barriers, tenting, HEPA filtration units, isolating HVAC systems and a variety of other requirements. For small projects, a collapsible portable tent may be used with a HEPA vacuum to clean ceiling tiles as they are removed within the tent area. For projects that require a few tiles be removed, a larger HEPA filtration system may need to be attached to the tent or even vented to the outside, depending on the scope and duration of the job.
INFECTION PREVENTION
The most critical point is that there needs to be a meeting of the minds before a project begins to make sure everyone is aware of the requirements necessary to ensure all precautions are taken to prevent infections. This also makes sure all bids accurately reflect what is required and eliminates the need for dangerous shortcuts that may compromise patient care. Contractors that typically work in health care facilities have attended training on Infection Control and hold the ASHE Healthcare Construction Certificate. It makes a difference!
By:
Frank P. Rudilosso
ASSE 6010 Medical Gas Installer
ASSE 6020 Medical Gas Inspector
ASSE 6030 Medical Gas Verifier
ASSE 6050 Medical Gas Instructor
MGPHO Credentialed Medical Gas Verifier
UL DRI Qualified Firestop Contractor Program
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