NEEDHAM, Mass. -- Hospitals and healthcare institutions are challenged to devise policies and procedures that allow construction projects to take place while maintaining Environment of Care (EC) standards. A free white paper that addresses these challenges is available for download at: http://www.eheinc.com/infectioncontrol.htm.
The white paper, "Infection Control in the Healthcare Environment During Construction," details the process required to establish hospital compliance with The Joint Commission while maintaining a high level of patient care services and critical institution functions.
The white paper will discuss the steps involved in ensuring infection control during hospital construction projects, including how to:
-- Create a construction oversight panel
-- Select which departments and personnel should be on the panel
-- Incorporate Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) elements into construction documents
-- Establish clear-cut project phases.
Authored by Dennis Tremblay, CFPS, a senior scientist at EH&E, a Needham, Mass.-based environmental, health, safety, and engineering consulting firm, the white paper is based on the experiences of EH&E personnel while working with leading hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide.
This white paper reviews the applicable Joint Commission standards and American Institute of Architects (AIA) guidelines, and describes a field-tested, successful solution for maintaining Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) documentation.
Source: EH&E
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.