Achieving 100% ICRA Compliance and Sound Attenuation in a Hospital Setting
When undertaking hospital renovations, infection control is a top priority. That’s why ICRA barriers are essential in maintaining a safe, compliant environment. Abbott Northwestern Hospital, the largest hospital in Minneapolis, recently completed a major renovation using ICRA Class IV containment measures to ensure patient safety and operational efficiency.
The Challenge
Mortenson, a Top-20 builder, developer, and provider of energy and engineering services, led renovations at Abbott Northwestern’s central processing plant—the critical facility where all surgical instruments are sterilized.
Because the sterilization equipment was being replaced on the clean side of the processing area, there was no room for error. Mortenson needed a solution that would:
- Ensure 100% compliance with ICRA Class IV containment standards
- Eliminate dust and airborne contaminants
- Reduce noise disruption to hospital staff and patients
The ICRA Barrier Solution
Mortenson turned to STARC’s ICRA barriers, installing a high-performance containment system equipped with negative airflow monitors. This solution ensured that the sterile processing area remained dust-free and that no contaminants became airborne.
“With a conventional temporary wall installation like drywall, if you bump into it, you will have cuts and tears. There’s no infection control when there’s a breach in the wall, which can lead to dust and contaminants,” said Peter Hauer, Field Superintendent at Mortenson.
“The sterile side needs to be 100% sterile,” Hauer added. “STARC’s ICRA barriers helped us maintain the separation between renovations and the sterile area. Without this system, it would have been a dusty and dirty job site.”
“With a conventional temporary wall installation like drywall, if you bumped into it you would have cuts and tears. There’s no infection control when there’s a breach in the wall that can lead to the potential of dust and contaminants. That’s not the case with STARC Systems.”
– Peter Hauer, Field Superintendent, Mortenson Equipment Solutions
The Impact of Using STARC’s ICRA Barriers
By implementing STARC’s ICRA barriers, Mortenson ensured a seamless renovation process with multiple key benefits:
- Compliance Confidence: The renovation area fully met ICRA Class IV standards.
- Minimal Disruptions: Hospital staff continued their work without distractions.
- Enhanced Noise Control: The barriers significantly reduced sound transfer, ensuring a quieter environment.
- Positive Facility Feedback: Abbott Northwestern’s administration praised the system for its professional appearance, durability, and sound attenuation properties.
“The STARC Systems panels provide the look and feel of the surrounding area. The staff never saw the renovations,” Hauer said.
Conclusion
By using ICRA barriers, Mortenson successfully executed a complex renovation while maintaining infection control, sound attenuation, and hospital workflow continuity. The project’s success was so significant that Hauer and his team shared STARC’s ICRA barrier solutions company-wide as a best practice.
Contact us today to learn how we can address your ICRA containment needs with industry-leading solutions.
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