Infection Control

Related to Construction and Maintenance
Activities in Healthcare Facilities

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Construction and maintenance activities in hospitals, long term care facilities and other health care facilities can release dust containing fungal spores and water aerosols containing Legionella bacteria which can cause serious or fatal infections to patients.

Health Canada and medical literature continues to report outbreaks of construction or maintenance - related nosocomial infections related to fungus.

In July 2001 Health Canada released the Guideline “Construction-related Nosocomial Infections for Hospitalized Patients: Decreasing the Risk of Aspergillus, Legionella and Other Infections”.

In 2003 this was followed by issuance of the CSA Z317.13-03 Standard for Infection Control during Construction. These documents serve as a guideline for designers, contractors and hospital facilities implementing maintenance and construction activities. Adherence to these documents will minimize patient exposure and possible litigation as a result of nosocomial infections. Pinchin Environmental can provide infection control consulting services described below to assist health care facilities in reducing these risks

Infection Control Services

• Develop project related specifications as per CSA and Health Canada recommendations to minimize patient infections during construction activities. Specifications would include:
• Design of contaminant containment and ventilation controls
• Manage construction activities and inspect containment procedures
• Inspect procedures, and collect dust and mould air samples prior to (baseline), during and after construction activities
• Provide daily inspection reports and a final report.
• Provide management programs to guide hospital maintenance and renovation activities to minimize patient exposure to dust, Legionella and mould caused by such activities
• Inspect facility and evaluate HVAC systems and maintenance operations for potential Legionella and/or mould growth sites
• Collect dust, mould and bacteria (Legionella) samples to evaluate growth areas and exposure risk to patients and occupants
• Provide in house presentations and training programs to health care facilities and contractors for:
• Construction and maintenance - related infection control in health care facilities
• Preventing Legionella growth during building operations
• Mould growth sources and risk in health care facilities

For Infection Control courses and Complimentary Breakfasts, please click here.