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.
Healthcare Facility Renovation Complications
Infectious disease outbreaks are a well-recognized complication of construction or renovation work in healthcare facilities. As facilities will continue to require these projects, so will the subsequent challenges of protecting patients and staff.
This poses a serious threat to patients and even more with immunocompromised patients such as burn victims, organ transplant recipients, and cancer patients. The amount of exposure that these types of patients have for secondary infections is alarming, with mold infections resulting in an increased mortality rate of 30% to 80%.
By implementing an effective temporary containment protocol, the level of dust decreases along with other materials generated by projects that can spread and harm susceptible patients. Exposure to certain strains of Aspergillus mold or Mycobacterium tuberculosis can cause serious illnesses and even death.
To be effective, the containment barrier system must be easily assembled, dismantled, and moved between phases. It must meet ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) Class IV requirements and be airtight to maintain negative air pressure. Reusable walls, like the STARC System, is more a more effective solution for preventing the spread of airborne pathogens.
Facilities should partner with highly skilled ICRA Class III-IV trained contractors that have experience in high-risk environments and the installation and management of proper barrier systems. ICRA Class III-IV trained contractors should have an acute understanding of:
- Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) responsibilities and implementation
- Trade-specific considerations/concerns and individual responsibilities
- Containment and barrier management and disinfection technologies
- Facility-specific systems and protocols
- Occupational health and safety awareness specific to the healthcare environment
- Quality air control
An Effective Containment Barrier System
Hospitals, urgent care facilities, assisted living facilities, surgical centers, and any type of healthcare facility needs an effective temporary containment system as a part of their ICRA protocol. STARC Systems have proven to contain airborne particulates and isolate surface contamination, limit disruption to patients, and look professional during construction.