America’s hospitals and health systems are focusing more on renovation or expansion than new construction, according to a new survey conducted by Health Facilities Management magazine and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE). In fact, renovation or expansion accounted for 73 percent of construction projects at hospitals responding to the survey.
Renovation and expansion is a great thing for hospitals however, an article published by Engineered Systems, Judene Bartley, MS, MPH, CIC, states that patients can leave the hospital sicker than they arrived if construction crews don’t use established precautions to controls infection during new construction or major renovations.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends comprehensive preventive actions using an Infection Control and Risk Assessment (ICRA) before beginning this process.
Can dust and dirt carry bacteria and mold into patient areas during minor and major construction and lead to infection? The answer is yes. Patients can and have been infected with numerous infectious agents leading to sickness and even death. The infections were a result of inadvertent exposure to fungi or mold released for example from contaminated ceiling tiles, fireproofing insulation and contaminated HVAC systems.
Infection control is one of the most important challenges facing healthcare. Understanding the IRCA and hospital expectations for infection prevention from the environment should help HVAC engineers in planning and installing guidelines before such projects begin.
Pure Air Control Services, Inc. provides support services to all hospitals across the nation during the (IRCA), construction initial planning, as well as testing and monitoring during the construction phase(s). For more information regarding our planning, consulting, assessment and testing services, please call 1-800-422-7873 ext. 602.
About Pure Air Control Services:
Pure Air Control Services, Inc. was founded in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm and today sets the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis and remediation. Pure Air has serviced more than 600 million square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities.
Pure Air Control Services nationally performed environmental services include: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check; an AIHA accredited Environmental Microbiology Laboratory; Environmental Project Management; and HVAC/Mold Remediation Services, HVAC Restoration Services, among other indoor environmental services.
For more information on Pure Air Service Services, Inc., please call (800) 422-7873 x802, or visit www.pureaircontrols.com.
This annual event provides an opportunity for licensed contractors throughout the State of Florida to obtain all 14 state-required hours of continuing education over the course of the two-day event.
Released On: 3/8/2014
Views: 4251
Although this type of bacteria was around before1976, more illness from Legionnaires' disease is being detected now. Due to consumer awareness, added research and technological advances in healthcare Legionnaires disease identification is becomi ...
Released On: 3/4/2014
Views: 4088
Performance of a building depends on its structured integrity, preventive maintenance, as well as periodical monitoring of the environmental conditions essential for its functionality.
Released On: 2/19/2014
Views: 4113
According to Building Operating Management magazine, expert Victor Yu, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Chief, Infectious Disease Section, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, disclosed that “Up to 70% of all buildings greater t ...
Released On: 2/18/2014
Views: 3669
Released On: 1/22/2014
Views: 3559
High efficiency coils are extremely susceptible to blockage from dust accumulation because once lodged deeply within the fins bacteria and mold may initiate growth, which not only compounds the blockage problems but also gives rise to excessive o ...
Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 6347
Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water.
Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 4012
World Health Organization (WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality, 2009) concluded that the most important effect is increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma, as well as perturbation of the immunological systems
Released On: 12/31/2013
Views: 4042
The website is a true indoor environmental resource for the private and public sector including consumers, educational facilities e.g. schools, universities, along with city, county state and federal governments, healthcare and the public sector.
Released On: 12/20/2013
Views: 3067
“We are very proud to have been given the opportunity to display that we are a Doctor Trusted recipient. We will continue as always to help provide our customers with a great products and services,” stated Dr. Rajiv Sahay, environmental analytica ...
Released On: 12/11/2013
Views: 3997
IndoorAirtest.com is very proud to have a Doctor Trusted seal of approval displayed on our website, giving our customers more confidence when shopping with us.
Released On: 12/4/2013
Views: 4421
Released On: 10/2/2013
Views: 3355
The assessment of allergens in a house dust sample is an essential step for allergen-avoidance and provides information essential for allergen-reducing measures, in addition to managing the indoor environment from a health and hygiene point of view
Released On: 9/18/2013
Views: 5442
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions.
Released On: 7/31/2013
Views: 4479
Released On: 7/17/2013
Views: 4721
Released On: 7/11/2013
Views: 4789
Some common and frequently reported microbes of the indoor environment include, but are not limited to, viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, mold (fungi), yeast, protozoa, etc.
Released On: 6/26/2013
Views: 5969
In indoor environments, this fungus can be transported from outside or may propagate on building materials such as cellulose rich sheet rocks, etc. and can generally be isolated from floors, carpets, mattress dust, Heating Ventilation Air Conditi ...
Released On: 6/19/2013
Views: 10517