Attachment "C"
Moffitt Cancer Center
Policy: Construction - Infection Control Measures
Responsible Office:
Infection Control
Category:
Authorized:
Senior Vice President / Hospital
Chief Operating Officer
2 years
Policy Number:
Safety & Infection
Control
IC-051
Effective:
06/2009
Review Frequency:
Policy Statement
I.
It is the policy of the Center to provide a safe and clean environment for patients, visitors, and
health care workers during construction and remodeling projects through the use of barriers,
special ventilation/air handling, increased cleaning, and traffic control.
II.
An Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) will be completed prior to all construction projects.
Purpose
This policy defines the use of appropriate barriers to minimize:
•
Dissemination of microorganisms from dust and debris generated from construction.
•
Contamination of surfaces, patient care supplies, and equipment.
•
Accumulation on ventilation system filters resulting in the potential for microorganism growth and
filter penetration.
Scope
This policy applies to all members of the workforce.
Stakeholders: Facilities
Procedures
I.
The Director of Facilities/Construction Manager will meet regularly with the Nurse
Epidemiologist/Hospital Epidemiologist to determine appropriate barriers and procedures for
construction and remodeling projects.
A. Prior to construction, an ICRA will be completed by the nurse epidemiologist and given to
the construction supervisor, engineer, etc. The ICRA will contain specific criteria to be met
for each construction project. This may include:
1. Erecting barriers to contain and isolate dust/debris within the construction area.
2. Enclosing a staging area by use of a double door system. The staging area may
be used for cleaning carts for debris removal and for changing and storing
employee coveralls used while in the construction area.
3. Placing mats on the floor for employees to wipe their feet and trap dust. Mats will
be placed outside the construction door in the ante room to maximize dust
containment from employee shoes.
4. Covering carts and wiping the wheels with a wet cloth to avoid dust being tracked
Effective: 06/2009
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Moffitt Cancer Center
Policy: Construction - Infection Control Measures
outside of the construction area.
5. Requiring construction employees working in construction area to wear coveralls
(to minimize dust on clothing) that will be removed and stored in the staging area
when leaving the construction area.
6. Using portable air filtration machines in construction areas to control dust.
7. Encouraging construction workers to:
• eat in the provided assigned areas
• use assigned construction areas
• minimize traffic through patient care areas
8. Adjusted air flow in construction areas to minimize airborne particles to adjacent
areas with a goal of creating negative pressure in the construction area.
a. Exhausted air will be directed to the outside when possible. If not able to
exhaust air to the outside then a meeting shall occur between Infection
Control, Facilities, and project manager as to the best method for creating
negative airflow and exhaust.
9. Dedicating an elevator to construction and remodeling projects for transporting
demolition debris and supplies for construction.
10. Rerouted traffic to avoid patient and staff contact with construction site.
11. Placing appropriate signs on the outside of the construction area to designate
area under construction, contact information for project supervisor, and daily
check sheet.
II.
Air filters in air handlers will be inspected quarterly for over loading and penetration, and
changed out as appropriate. A pre-filters and HEPA filter will be installed in air handlers
supplying both bed towers.
III.
Contractors are required to comply with infection control policies and practices. Contractors will
be notified of this during the bid process.
A. All construction workers will know infection control practices prior to working on the
construction site. This will be provided by the contractor or facilities department either
through written guidelines or by watching a video.
IV.
The Construction Manager and Nurse Epidemiologist will provide surveillance of construction
and remodeling sites on a weekly basis.
Forms
N/A
Related Information
N/A
Effective: 06/2009
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Moffitt Cancer Center
Policy: Construction - Infection Control Measures
Education
N/A
Definitions
Center – Collectively and individually, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute and its notfor-profit subsidiaries.
Workforce – Employees, volunteers, trainees, and other persons whose conduct, in the performance of
work, is under the direct control of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute and its
subsidiaries, whether or not they are paid by the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute or one
of its subsidiaries.
References
The role of infection control during construction in health care facilities. AJIC (American Journal of Infection
Control) 2000;28:156-169.
Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities, Recommendations of CDC and the
Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), 2003.
Appendices
Infection Control Construction Evaluation (ICRA)
Revision History
09/1992, 03/1993, 02/1994, 07/1998, 01/1999, 07/2001, 09/2004, 03/2007, 06/2009v2
Effective: 06/2009
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