Infection Prevention in Medical Environments: The Contractor’s Role
It is important that workers see their role as part of the prevention, care and treatment rather than only as performing the duties of their trade in a “special” environment
No matter the reason, healthcare projects have become a constant. And while any project in an occupied building can be an inconvenience to those in the building, activities conducted in an occupied healthcare (HC) environment can present significant risk to patients. These activities can also impact the ability of staff to provide care and treatment to their patients.
The impact of construction on the ability to provide care can take on many forms. Some types of mold spores can cause infections in some patients and these spores can become airborne during construction activities. Increased noise levels can adversely impact patient populations, such as a newborn infant in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Vibrations impacting water systems could disturb previously stable biofilms, potentially releasing legionella bacteria into the environment. For these reasons, it is important that workers see their role as part of the prevention, care and treatment rather than only as performing the duties of their trade in a “special” environment.