Updated October 17, 2024
When construction firms undertake renovations, repairs, or expansions within healthcare facilities, maintaining patient safety and minimizing disruption is a top priority. In hospitals, where infection control is mission-critical, outdated construction barriers like plastic sheeting or drywall simply fail to contain dust and potentially dangerous pathogens.
In fact, hospital-associated infections (HAIs) caused by dust, mold, and airborne contaminants can lead to severe complications, even death, among patients with compromised immune systems. For this reason, implementing airtight temporary wall systems that meet ICRA Class IV/V standards is essential for every healthcare construction project.
What Are ICRA Barriers, and Why Do You Need Them?
ICRA barriers are temporary construction walls specifically designed to contain dust, debris, and pathogens within the construction zone, preventing them from spreading to patient care areas. For healthcare projects, ICRA Class IV/V compliance is required, ensuring that all airborne contaminants are contained effectively throughout the renovation process.
Top-notch temporary construction walls, like STARC’s RealWall™, LiteBarrier™, and FireblockWall™ systems, serve as a better option than traditional drywall and plastic barriers because they provide secure sealing that exceeds ICRA standards.
See How Much You Can Save with STARC Systems
The ‘Hidden Costs’ of Using Temporary Drywall
Relying on drywall for hospital renovations may seem like a standard approach, but it comes with significant drawbacks:
- Time-Consuming Installation and Removal: Installing drywall barriers can take days, creating noise, dust, and disruption for patients and staff. After the project, the process must be repeated to remove the barriers, adding even more downtime.
- Environmental Impact: Drywall is not reusable, leading to significant waste. Nearly half of the construction industry’s waste comes from drywall, which is non-biodegradable and filled with toxic additives that complicate disposal. Disposal fees also add up.
- Health Risks: Dust from drywall can carry harmful pathogens that compromise air quality and patient safety. Traditional barriers do little to contain these contaminants, increasing the risk of infection and prolonged recovery times for patients.
STARC Advantage: Reusable, ICRA-Compliant Temporary Walls
STARC’s temporary construction walls offer a reusable, durable, and environmentally friendly solution for healthcare construction projects. Here’s how they outperform drywall:
- Fast, Quiet Installation: STARC’s temporary walls can be set up quickly—100 feet in just one hour—minimizing disruption and maintaining the quiet, calm environment patients need for recovery. The noise-attenuating core reduces sound by up to 50%, which can significantly improve patient satisfaction scores.
- ICRA Class IV/V Compliance: These walls are designed to exceed ICRA Class IV/V standards, ensuring full containment of dust, debris, and airborne pathogens. This level of protection is essential for maintaining a safe environment in healthcare settings.
- Cost Savings and Reusability: Unlike drywall, STARC’s temporary wall systems can be reused for multiple projects, providing a cost-effective solution that saves on labor, materials, and waste disposal. With the potential for dozens of reuses, STARC walls are a strategic investment for contractors looking to optimize project efficiency and sustainability.
Benefits for Patients—and Facilities Managers
For Facilities Managers overseeing healthcare renovations, choosing the right containment solution can have a direct impact on patient satisfaction and hospital ratings. STARC’s temporary walls not only protect patients from harmful contaminants but also help hospitals maintain a clean and quiet environment—key factors measured in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey.
Positive HCAHPS scores boost Medicare reimbursements and enhance the hospital’s reputation, making STARC’s temporary construction walls a vital part of any healthcare renovation strategy. By minimizing disruptions and ensuring a seamless construction experience, contractors and facilities managers can meet their deadlines while keeping patients safe and satisfied.
Conclusion
Healthcare construction presents unique challenges, but with the right tools—like STARC’s RealWall, LiteBarrier, or FireblockWall—you can protect patients, complete projects faster, and reduce environmental impact.
Don’t let outdated dust barriers compromise your next project. Choose reusable, efficient, and durable temporary construction walls that exceed industry standards and safeguard both your project and the people it impacts.
See How Much You Can Save with STARC.
To learn how STARC can keep your healthcare renovations ICRA compliant and disruption-free, contact us today.