CONSTRUCTION
Infection Control Solutions

Infection Control in Design and Planning of New Healthcare Construction or Renovation

The impact of COVID-19 on the health care system reinforces the importance of strict compliance to Infection Control principles when designing and planning new healthcare construction or renovation. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), H1N1 and now COVID-19 all highlight the importance of effective safeguards in design and the role it plays in disease transmission. Planning of new healthcare construction or renovation requires early consultation with a certified Infection Control Practitioner, as well as engineers and architects, to ensure that design elements adhere not only to clinical practice but also appropriate standards and guidelines. Aesthetics of the environment can often pose a risk to patients, staff and the public. It is vital to ensure that the physical environment has been assessed to ensure design elements meet the IPAC requirements. IPAC Consulting has extensive experience in working with multidisciplinary teams through the various stages of design. Our consultants have assisted with service delivery and location planning, the development of functional programs and block schematics, writing of project output specifications and review of working drawings.

Infection Control Solutions

COVID-19 Preparedness Assessment

The current global pandemic has put modern infection prevention and control methods to the ultimate test. As a means to continue our fight against this ever-present threat, it is imperative that all workplaces have completed a risk assessment, developed policies and procedures, and have provided staff with updated training and education. IPAC Consulting will conduct an onsite risk assessment to provide you with customized COVID-19 policies and procedures and training for your workers. We know that the health and safety of both your staff and patients are of the utmost importance to you. Our certified Health and Safety and IPAC Consultants will ensure you have a robust plan going forward.

Infection Control Risk Assessments

The Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) should be conducted before the design begins, prior to construction and again when the projected is commissioned. The ICRA should inform:

  • Building design features
  • Location of segregated treatments areas and requirements for negatively pressured spaces
  • Air handling and ventilation needs
  • Water systems and requirements to decrease or prevent water-borne pathogens
  • Locations for soiled areas, clean utility and storage areas
  • Requirements for sterilization and reprocessing areas
  • Locations of known hazards
  • Continuous monitoring of infection prevention and control measures
  • Emergency requirements (eyewash stations, decontamination shower, etc)
  • Locations and design of sinks, food preparation areas, and exam spaces
  • Requirements for public spaces
  • Finishes, furnishings, and surfaces

It is of the utmost importance that the ICRA is incorporated into the specifications of planning and design.

Infection Control in Construction of New Healthcare Construction and Renovation

During the construction phase, our consultants work with the construction team to ensure appropriate Infection Control measures are in place. Onsite inspections should occur regularly to address issues that may arise which include but are not limited to:

  • Water damage
  • Proper storage of materials to prevent mold and moisture
  • Protection of the HVAC system during construction
  • Movement of construction traffic flow, materials, and workers
  • Impact of disruption of essential services
  • Commissioning
  • Integrity of proper IPAC barriers
  • Appropriate cleaning procedures

Experience

Our consultants are experts in applying the following standards:

  • CSA Standard Z317.2-10 Special Requirements for Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) Systems in Health Care Facilities
  • CSA Standard Z317.13-17 Infection Control during Construction, Renovation, and Maintenance of Healthcare Facilities
  • CSA Standard Z8000 Canadian Health Care Facilities
  • Canadian Construction Association 82-2004 Mould Guidelines for the Canadian Construction Industry
  • Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR Recommendations and Reports, “Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities: Recommendations of CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)
  • IICRC ANSI/IICRC S520 (2015) Standard for Professional Mold Remediation, 3Rd Edition
  • New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Disease Epidemiology, Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments, 2008
  • Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Capital Planning Manual
  • Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Generic Output Specification
  • Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC). Best Practices for Routine Practice and Additional Precautions in All Health Care Settings
  • Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC). Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Prevention and Control of Infections in All Health Care Settings
  • Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC). Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization in All Health Care Settings
  • Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC). Best Practices for Clinical Office Practice