2026 Georgia Association for Healthcare Facility Managers (GAHFM) Annual Conference-Infection Prevention in Healthcare Construction

Infection Prevention in Healthcare Construction

Pdf Summary

Healthcare construction in occupied facilities requires strong infection prevention and industrial hygiene controls because hospitals, medical offices, outpatient centers, and renovations operate 24/7 with patients present. Industrial hygienists and infection preventionists work together to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control hazards through monitoring, engineering controls, work practices, and communication.<br /><br />A central tool is the Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA), which identifies the construction type, patient/staff risk group, and required infection control class. It is supported by Joint Commission and FGI expectations to reduce risks from demolition, renovation, debris movement, traffic flow, and system testing. Construction can generate dust, vapors, and bioaerosols, including fungal spores and other airborne contaminants that may affect highly vulnerable patients.<br /><br />Water management is equally important and is not just a plumbing issue. Construction can create stagnant water, dead legs, biofilm disruption, and loss of disinfectant residuals, increasing Legionella and other waterborne pathogen risk. Healthcare facilities are expected to maintain a water management program with risk assessment, monitoring, corrective actions, annual review, and defined team responsibility. A Water Infection Control Risk Assessment (WICRA) complements the ICRA.<br /><br />The presentation also emphasizes pressure differentials and ventilation controls. Negative pressure is needed for construction zones, isolation rooms, and dirty rooms; positive pressure is required for operating rooms and protective environments. Barriers, HEPA-filtered negative air machines, pressure monitoring, clean transport routes, and proper material storage help contain dust. Visual and quantitative inspections verify that controls are working.<br /><br />Overall, the goal is simple: construction must not increase infection risk for patients, staff, or visitors.

Keywords

healthcare construction

infection prevention

industrial hygiene

ICRA

WICRA

Legionella risk

water management program

negative pressure

HEPA filtration

airborne contaminants