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Background
The expected growth in the health care construction market presents unique challenges
for short staffed infection prevention departments. Detailed, proactive infection
control risk assessments for both new construction and infrastructure remediation
projects are often overlooked or rushed when the Infection Preventionist's (IP) time
is allocated to other responsibilities. Establishing strong relationships with the
Facilities Department, Environmental Services and outside Contractors takes considerable
IP time and knowledge. An Infection Prevention department in a large academic pediatric
hospital looked for a solution to ensure IP involvement and understanding of construction
and facility issues that may put patients at risk.
Methods
A full time IP position focusing on construction and facilities work was proposed
to address a surge in construction activities and ongoing facilities projects requiring
IP involvement. The goal was to provide consistent, standardized approaches to project
management and build relationships with project managers and key leaders in Facilities.
The IP visited all construction and facilities projects weekly to ask questions and
learn about facility work standards and processes, while establishing relationships
with the staff.
Results
The IP helped fill the gap between IP's and key leaders in project management and
the Facilities Department. Education modules were implemented for all contracted staff
performing work in the facility. The IP established a tracking system for observations
on all construction projects. Quarterly in-services are held to educate the Facilities
staff regarding the impact of their work on patient safety. Regular meetings are held
with key Facility leaders. Ongoing documentation of information pertaining to water
intrusions and air handler work has been valuable during investigation of possible
healthcare associated infections.
Conclusions
This specialized IP role has provided much needed guidance and support to the Facilities
Department and Contractors on site. This collaboration has helped ensure an emphasis
on patient safety and infection prevention.
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Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.
