In the world of healthcare, few things are more important than improving patient experience and satisfaction, with 45% of healthcare executives saying revamping the patient experience is one of the of their organization’s top three priorities over the next 5 years and 86% denoting patient satisfaction as “very important” when considering design changes to facilities and services. Whether for a check-up or treatment, patients are fully trusting the staff and the safety of the facility. This includes being protected during healthcare facility renovation projects.
Improving Patient Experience is Critical
Primary concerns for healthcare officials during renovations are the disruption of daily operations, the meeting of project deadlines but, most importantly, proper and stringent infection control. Every year, thousands of patients, staff members, and visitors fall victim to infections that are a result of dust, mold spores, and microorganisms disrupted during remodeling/renovation projects. Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) cost the healthcare system around $35 billion per year and increases patients hospital length of stay by almost 18 days.
Although the need for updated facilities and modernized healthcare spaces is vital to treat patients and counter the spread of diseases, the need for containment is paramount.
ICRA Class IV compliant temporary containment walls aid in containing pathogens, control airflow, allow contractors to work without disrupting normal operations, keep other parts of the building untouched but, most importantly, keep patients safe.
Sound Reduction
More than 50% of healthcare executives are implementing noise-reduction construction material to boost patient experience.
STARC Systems provides an airtight ICRA Class IV temporary containment barrier and eliminates up to 50% of renovation noise that allows for daily operations and treatments to continue as normal with no disruption or risk to the patients. In some cases, patients weren’t aware of construction taking place in the facility.
Dust Containment
Anyone admitted to a hospital has a 5% chance of contracting an HAI and HAIs can be caused by harmful pathogens that travel with dust.
STARC Systems prevent the spread of dust and infectious particles to the areas outside of the renovation zone. The barrier contains the work area and maintains negative air pressure inside the unit. The mobile temporary walls provide a secure renovation zone, with rigid walls and locking doors.
Exceeding ICRA Requirements
All healthcare facilities must follow ICRA procedures during any renovation project that takes place in occupied areas or high-risk environments. Healthcare facilities and general contractors look to ICRA guidelines to prevent infections in the healthcare space. STARC System exceeds the ICRA Class IV requirements, the highest risk group assessment classification.
Healthcare facility’s staff have confidence that their patients are protected, ensuring that while renovations are underway, proper containment is being utilized and everyone is kept safe throughout the project while meeting ICRA guidelines.
Lower The Risk
To avoid safety and health risks to both staff and patients, infection control should be a top priority for companies undergoing renovation and remodeling. ICRA containment allows for needed updates to happen in healthcare organizations without risk to current patients and increases overall patient satisfaction. Increased patient satisfaction translates into a higher profit margin.
Written by Gearhart and Associates, LLC. for STARC Systems, Inc. Gearhart and Associates are industry experts in Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) training, Infection Control and Prevention Strategies, and Facilities Risk Management.
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