This document provides information to construction workers about safety protocols when working in a hospital setting. It notes that hospitals contain sick patients who are susceptible to infections, and construction activities can stir up dust and debris containing bacteria or fungi that could infect vulnerable patients if precautions are not taken. It outlines various ways to protect patients during construction, such as erecting barriers, using walk-off mats, promptly cleaning flooded areas, and monitoring the construction site. The document also discusses protecting workers by providing training, TB testing and immunizations, and instructions for responding to needlesticks or exposure to bodily fluids.

1. Hospital Infection Prevention &
Control Issues for Construction
Projects
What you need to know to:
Protect our patients
Protect yourself
Marsha Barnden, RNC, MSN, CIC
Corporate Director Infection Prevention & Clinical Standards
Adventist Health

2. PROTECTING THE PATIENT

3. Hospital Construction Projects are different from
other work sites
• Sick patients are in the hospital and these patients
can be more susceptible to infectious diseases

4. Some areas in the hospital contain very ill patients who
are highly susceptible to infections
Examples of these high risk areas are the Nursery,
NICU, cancer unit, surgical areas, burn unit, and ICUs
Operating Rooms
NICU
Patient Care Units

5. I’m working in a hospital with sick patients, but I don’t work with the
patients, so what is the connection between my work and patient
safety?

6. Bacteria and fungus can grow in dust, drywall,
beneath carpeting, old wood structures, in the ceiling
space above ceiling tiles, and any area that has been
wet and dried or any wet areas where water has
collected.

7. Activities that “stir up” dust and debris or stagnant water can send
fungus and bacteria into the air (aerosolization) and, if precautions
are not taken, into a patient who may come in contact with these
organisms.

8. Infection with these organisms can be fatal to the
patient.
Exposure to these organisms rarely pose a risk for a healthy
person.

9. Two environmental organisms of concern to hospitals:
Aspergillus
•a fungus
•found in dust, walls,
ceilings, debris
•spread by activities that
stir up dust & dirt, such as
knocking out walls,
removing ceiling tile,
working in air handling
system
•causes pneumonia,
wound infections,
bloodstream infections
Legionella
•a bacteria
•found in stagnant standing
water
•cooling towers, water
supply lines, air
conditioning systems
•spread by aerosolized
water
•causes pneumonia and
lung infections

10. What can we do to keep our patients from getting
exposed to these “bugs’?
1. Educate healthcare & construction workers
2. Carefully evaluate job sites and determine what
must be done to protect the patients: Identify risks
Take necessary actions to protect patients, employees
and visitors

11. Ways to protect patients during
construction/renovation
• Patients may have to be relocated during
construction.

12. Barriers: Either solid wall or heavy plastic may
be needed to keep construction area and
patient areas separated.

13. Walk off mats both inside and outside of entry
into site are needed to trap dust off shoes.

14. Debris to be removed from site must be
covered.
• In some cases, air pumps with hoses to the outside may be needed to
create a negative pressure work area (in relation to the patient area).
Opening windows in this area creates the opposite effect. Windows
should remain closed .

15. Maintenance should be aware of any
work involving water supply system.

16. Wet construction materials may have
to be replaced.

17. Immediate cleanup of flooded
areas

18. Water reservoirs may need to be drained or
flushed before area can be occupied by
patients.

19. Hospitals are required to monitor
construction sites to assure patient
safety
• Air sampling for the presence of mold and fungus may be
done in and around the construction area.
• Hospital monitoring for compliance to Infection Control &
Safety polices is ongoing during the project.

20. TB Testing and Immunizations
• Provide Employee
Health with a copy of
current TB test results.
• TB testing is available
in Employee Health.
• Provide Employee
Health with a copy of
your immunization
records.

21. PROTECTING YOURSELF

22. What could be a risk for me while working
on a hospital construction site?
• Accidental exposure to contaminated
materials during demolition-

23. How can I identify
“contaminated materials” ?

24. What do I do if I find needles, needleboxes, red bag
waste, body fluid spills at my job site?
Contact your Supervisor.
Hospital staff will be responsible for removing the
biohazardous objects.

25. What do I do if I accidentally get a
needlestick injury or exposure to body
fluids?

26. Contact you Supervisor immediately to
arrange medical evaluation.
Flush exposed area with water.

27. Emergency Codes at XYZ: To familiarize yourself with how to respond when an emergency code is announced overhead.
Code Triage –
Emergency
Operations Plan
(EOP) Activation
Announced when an emergency situation exists. The emergency should be announced as
“internal” or “external.” The announcement is made three times and should include the number of
expected casualties and the estimated time of arrival (ETA).
Code Triage – Standby Called when an emergency requires preparation/analysis of the situation at hand, if time permits.
If a true disaster exists and requires EOP activation, then the above Code Triage – EOP Activation
is announced and followed.
Code Red Called in the event of a fire, followed by the location of the fire. Is announced three times with the
location specified in each announcement. If in an area adjacent to the location, evacuate your
area.
Code Blue Announced when a patient has a respiratory/cardiac arrest. The location of the event is
announced three times with the code.
MET Team Announced when a patient has a significant change in condition based on established criteria. A
specialized team of ICU and Respiratory personnel respond.
Severe/Inclement
Weather
Announced when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issues a severe
weather watch/warning for Rockdale County. A “warning” is issued only when a tornado or other
severe weather has actually been sighted, either visually or by radar. A “watch” is issued when
weather conditions are favorable such that a tornado or severe weather may develop. Also
includes Inclement Weather plan for staffing.
Code Grey Any situation requiring security including a facility Lockdown, Civil Disturbance or Bomb Threat
situation. Include location and announce three times.
Code Silver An Active Shooter is identified on campus. Staff are to secure area, remain in place and take
cover. Include location and announce three times.
Code Pink Kidnapping situation and is usually related to infant abductions. Include location and announce
three times.
Code Orange Hazardous materials release, including radiation/nuclear spills and chemical containment. Include
location of the spill and announce three times.
Code CDC In the event of a Bioterrorism Event, Code Orange will be announced first followed by the Code
CDC announcement, repeated three times.

28. Welcome to your work site at
XYZ Medical Center
Your work here is helping us make a better
place for our patients.
If you have questions on any information you
have just viewed, contact your Supervisor or
the Infection Prevention and Control
Department at ext XYZ.