Six Ways to Control Infections During Construction Projects
TASA ID: 931
Understanding how to control potential hazards that can cause infections in immune suppressed patients is imperative for ensuring a safe environment for patients and staff as a construction project proceeds. State health agencies and the Joint Commission have requirements that must be met. Fortunately, there are six easy steps you can take right now to control infections during your construction project.
1. Establish a Project Team
Establish a multi-disciplinary project team to coordinate and document infection control activities during construction. The Team should include:
- Infection control personnel
- Laboratory personnel
- Facility administrators
- Director of engineering
- Risk management personnel
- Environmental services personnel
- Construction administrators
- Architects and design engineers
2. Conduct Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA)
ICRA should be conducted on every project before initiating repairs, demolition, construction or renovation. The ICRA is documented in the form of a matrix that compares project activities to patient risk groups to determine the level of infection control precautions required. Patient areas are categorized as Low, Medium, High or Highest risk. Construction projects are categorized according to the level of dust to be created as Type A through D.
3. Provide Training for Everyone Involved
Educate both the construction team and the health-care staff in immune suppressed patient-care areas regarding airborne and waterborne infection risks associated with construction projects, dispersal of fungal spores and bacteria during such activities, and methods to control dissemination of fungal spores and bacteria.
4. Implement Infection Control Measures Prior to Construction
Based on the risk levels established by the ICRA, isolate the construction areas and associated heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems from the rest of the health care facility. Maintain negative pressure within work site with HEPA-equipped filtration units, and require construction workers and others to wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and use good work practices.
5. Monitor Construction Preparation and Work Practices
Monitor construction preparation and work practices to ensure:
- Quality of the infection-control containment
- Safe construction work practices used to minimize the generation and dispersion of bioaerosols and water contamination
- Ventilation practices used to control leakage
- Construction operations meet OSHA requirements
- Safety and health for patients and hospital personnel
The monitoring may include airborne particulate and mold/bacteria sampling as a tool to evaluate construction barrier integrity.
6. Perform Post Construction Inspection and Clearance Testing
Now that the construction project is complete, make sure that all necessary final inspections and clearance testing have been conducted prior to turning the new space over for occupancy. Also consider a formal commissioning process for newly-constructed or renovated healthcare facilities.
This article discusses issues of general interest and does not give any specific legal, medical, or business advice pertaining to any specific circumstances. Before acting upon any of its information, you should obtain appropriate advice from a lawyer or other qualified professional.
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