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HEALTHCARE REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & FACILITY PLANNING

How Construction Projects Can Become Lethal

BY NATALY GUEVARA preferable to utilize specialty panels that eliminate the
disruptive process of creating traditional temporary
Construction projects, especially renovations, partitions. In addition, these specialty panels offer
are a routine occurrence in today’s healthcare facil- one-hour rated fire protection. Regardless of the sepa-
ities. Despite how commonplace construction ration of work activities, it may be necessary to take
projects are, it is vital for the entire construction additional precautionary measures by using negative
team to be cognizant of the responsibility they hold air machines within the work area. These machines
with patient lives. Construction activities have the create a negative pressure environment by constantly
potential to increase hospital-acquired infections flowing air into the machine and thereby preventing
(HAIs) due to contaminated dust and dirt particles airborne contaminants from escaping the workspace
that can easily travel through various means. A through any leaks or openings. The performance of
2014 article published by The New England these machines is logged by the general contractor
Journal of Medicine, cited the results of a national daily to make sure that the pressure differential is cor-
survey that concluded an estimated 722,000 cases rect.
of HAIs occurred in U.S. acute care hospitals. When you consider the life-altering consequences
Additionally, about 75,000 patients with HAIs died that construction activities can have on patients, it is
during their hospitalizations. Although only a por- imperative to select a general contractor who has
tion of those cases were directly linked to con- proven experience constructing within sensitive
struction activities, it is the obligation of the con- healthcare environments. Properly sealing air vents,
struction team to implement every measure possi- maintaining negative pressure, using disposable cover-
ble to reduce risks. For example, improper measures of infection control by the gen- alls and walk-off mats, are examples of the measures that an experienced contractor
eral contractor can lead to the dispersal of microorganisms such as Aspergillus fumi- will take to prevent infections and patient discomfort.
gatus, a common type of mold, which can result in dire consequences for immuno-
suppressed patients. Nataly Guevara is the Business Development Manager at Thornton Construction
Prior to commencing a project, the team should conduct an Infection Control Risk Company, a general contractor specializing in healthcare construction.
Assessment (ICRA) to determine the potential risks based on the surrounding patient For more information, please contact nguevara@thornton-inc.com.
population and based on the nature of the scope of work. Although it’s common to
create temporary partitions to separate the work area from the active facility, it’s

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22 June 2018 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News