Renovation and new construction in healthcare facilities is a must to meet growing demand. With estimates indicating 4-5% growth year over year through 2030, the time for healthcare facilities to expand and update is now.
That said, healthcare facilities are expensive, and many operations simply cannot build new facilities, nor can that be done quickly if the budget is there. Instead, the optimal solution for many operators is to renovate and expand current facilities to bring them up-to-date for modern healthcare as well as expand the size to create room for more patients and staff.
When it comes to construction in healthcare facilities, especially renovation, patient and staff safety is paramount. Not only do designs and plans need to meet construction goals, but they must at every step consider the risks and potential impact to the ongoing activity and environment of the facility before work begins.
The Concerns Facing Construction Teams and Healthcare Administrations
Concerns regarding construction in healthcare facilities are more pronounced than any other. Not only must construction not disrupt the extremely important processes for caring for the sick and injured, but it mustn’t introduce new infection vectors that might target already compromised immune systems.
Common Concerns for Construction Teams and Healthcare Staff
Safety Compliance/Patient Safety and Comfort
Safety compliance with healthcare facility construction is a two way street. Not only should the construction activity not put patient safety at risk, but construction crews also need to be protected from potential risks from the facility.
Minimizing Disruptions
The work being performed in healthcare facilities can literally be between life and death. Because of this, it is imperative that any renovation or new construction minimize disruptions as much as possible. This includes managing noise, dust, vibrations, and any other disturbances that can have a negative effect on patients and healthcare staff.
Infection Control
Risk of infection is the top concern when performing any sort of construction in a healthcare facility. Patients with weakened immune systems are more sensitive and therefore any sort of degradation of the environment, whether it be the facility’s air, water, etc., could potentially have catastrophic and even fatal consequences.
To address this, Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) exists as a systematic process to identify risks to patients in a healthcare facility and outline appropriate steps for construction crews to follow to mitigate the assigned level of risk.
Access, Logistics, and Security
Logistics and access is another aspect to consider in healthcare facilities, especially for those who offer emergency care. For those patients, getting from the entrance of the building to being seen by staff needs to be the shortest distance and time possible.
Likewise, security protocols need to remain, as well as access points for the delivery and storage of must-have materials.
One Solution that Addresses Concerns: IRCA-Certified Temporary Wall Systems
While the concerns are many when performing construction in a healthcare facility, there is a great solution to mitigate them.
SwiftWall®® wall systems offer healthcare facility managers and contractors a powerful tool that keeps construction dust and debris away with a durable, modular, and reusable temporary walls.
Here’s one of our best options:
SwiftWall® Flex
The SwiftWall® Flex, in particular, meets the highest infection control standards, ICRA Class V, alongside negative air capabilities. The modular wall system is manufactured with materials that do not absorb or retain moisture with an easy-to-clean finish, providing further protection from any risks during the construction process.
Manufactured to be lightweight, SwiftWall® Flex is highly durable and can be installed 5x faster than traditional temporary wall systems; the system can be installed by one person in many applications.
SwiftWall® Flex is also reusable, which makes it easy to redeploy through each phase of construction and for any other need facility managers might find for it.
Crafted with sustainable sensibilities, SwiftWall® Flex also offers the highest value in the adjustable barrier market that meets the concerns and stringent requirements of construction within healthcare facilities.
Click here to explore case studies featuring SwiftWall® temporary wall systems in healthcare facilities.
Streamline Healthcare Facility Construction with SwiftWall®
SwiftWall® has revolutionized temporary walls in construction, crafting lightweight, easy-to-install, and reusable systems that can meet the most stringent of requirements in sensitive environments like healthcare facilities.
To learn more about SwiftWall® and how our wall systems can make an immediate impact on your healthcare facility construction project, reach out to our experts today.
