Infection control issues in construction and renovation

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 1997 Aug;18(8):587-96. doi: 10.1086/647679.

Abstract

Construction or renovation projects in hospitals pose special challenges. Infection control personnel should be involved in all phases of these projects to ensure that patients, visitors, and staff are protected from unnecessary exposure to infectious agents. Infection control personnel must identify the infection risks posed by each project and must plan ways to minimize the risk. Infection control personnel also must ensure that municipal, county, state, and federal infection control guidelines and regulations are met. This article will discuss basic infection control issues encountered during construction and renovation, offer practical suggestions for addressing these issues, discuss common questions that infection control personnel must address, and describe outbreaks related to construction and renovation.

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillosis / epidemiology
  • Aspergillosis / etiology
  • Cross Infection / etiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Hospital Design and Construction / standards*
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Legionellosis / epidemiology
  • Legionellosis / etiology
  • Risk Factors
  • United States