Even though every building needs to be constructed with safety measures and precautions, there is no doubt that healthcare sectors always require more attention.
The designing phase should be carried out with the help of the medical staff. They can better point out what needs to be done to fit special medical equipment and influence the specified design of designated hospital areas.
Whether performing restoration or construction work, care must be taken to prevent hospital utilities from getting damaged.
Let’s discuss some construction practices that are a must for renovation in any healthcare facility.
Choose a Certified Contractor
Your number one priority should be to select experienced and certified contractors to ensure safety for the staff and patients. When a contractor does not pay attention to details during construction, unnecessary hazards are more likely to occur.
If mistakes are frequent in the project, it might need a complete replacement, which could be expensive. For instance, if the materials get contaminated with mold spores or bacteria, the place is unfit for even the medical staff to work.
Remodeling a Working Hospital
It is often impossible to close down a running hospital for renovation. Contractors must be extra careful and avoid creating noise and vibration, especially near the patient ward.
Disruption in electricity can stop critical medical equipment needed for patient survival. Renovation areas also need to be cleaned out regularly.
Risk Factors Related to Construction Projects
Certain risk factors need to be taken care of during the construction process. The contractor on duty should have proper knowledge of disease control measures.
One of the most critical risks from hospital renovation projects is contamination from airborne spores. When removing old materials, fungus or bacteria is often released into the air. It can cause the spread of infections if not contained within the renovation zone.
Water Contamination Risk
When renovation reaches the plumbing stage, there is an increased risk of contamination during the stagnation period. It could serve as a perfect environment for bacteria to grow and give rise to unwanted infections.
Most patients cannot leave the hospital independently during a fire breakout. Proper fire extinguishers and other materials should be used on the construction site.
Measures to Implement to Avoid Spread of Infections
Now that some of the risk factors have been discussed, here are some solutions that contractors can implement to avoid the spread of infections.
Install Construction Barriers
No matter how small the renovation area will be, there need to be proper construction barriers to keep the dust and bacteria away from the rest of the healthcare facility.
Use Air Filter System
An air filter system is essential to ensure that contaminated air does not leave the renovation site. Moreover, a negative pressure system should also be installed to keep the hospital safe from airborne Infections.
Avoid Water Stagnation
Any damage to the water system should be avoided as it can otherwise lead to water contamination. Water stagnation is one of the leading causes of the spread of water-borne infections.