Things to Consider Before Starting Construction, Renovation and Maintenance in Healthcare Facilities

During hospital construction/renovation and maintenance work, the presence of dust, mold and bacteria can create serious problems. Since many people visit and spend time in hospitals every day (whether it be for a surgery, illness or to visit a patient), any construction or renovation work will require special attention to infection control.  Improvements being made on or in the hospital need to be done properly to keep mold and bacteria-contaminated dust from traveling throughout the hospital and infecting people—especially those with compromised immune systems.  

Creating a Risk Assessment

Before any work is started, a risk assessment of the proposed site work is an essential first step in safeguarding building occupants. This risk assessment will tell you what actions will be taken, where the construction will take place, and who will be affected by the project. It will also tell you if serious steps—like temporarily shutting down critical systems in a certain area—need to be taken to protect hospital occupants and patients.

Contaminants to consider before any work is started:

• Air – Particulates
• Dust
• General Dust
• Demolition/Dismantling
• Sanding/Cutting
• Microbials
• Microbial “reservoirs” in flooring, wall cavities, HVAC systems, materials affected by water damage or high humidity, or spores brought in from outdoors
• May include molds that are pathogenic, toxic, and/or allergenic (especially Aspergillus)
• May include bacterial growth
• Gases/Fumes/Odors
• Waterborne Contaminants
• Noise/Vibration
• May affect patients and/or employees
• Premature neonates
• Recent ICH or strokes
• Neurological/psychiatric disorders
• May affect critical procedures/testing
• EEG or EKG
• Hearing assessments
• Neurological studies
• Fine motor skills procedures
• Sleep studies
• Misc. Nuisances
• Not necessarily environmental contaminants, but potentially disruptive activity
• Increased foot and vehicle trafic
• Alternate routes of building exit/entry
• Alternate emergency/fire evacuation routes ad procedures
• Abnormal “loads” on utilities or equipment

How can AMI Environmental Help Protect Building OccupantsAt AMI Environmental, our main goal is to assist clients and create a safe building environment, while adhering to laws and regulations.  With decades of experience, our Industrial Hygiene Professionals’ purpose is to help our clients not only protect building occupants, but also manage risk.  Once we’ve done our job, you can enjoy the peace of mind that everyone will be protected from harm.  AMI will work to establish and maintain a safe work environment, including surveying your facility for risks; provide testing within your facility; maintain testing protocol; and assist in the recording process.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dan Taylor at dantaylor@amienvironmental.com.

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