Hospital construction and renovations are necessary, but they bring one of the biggest challenges for facility managers — keeping patients safe from infections. Dust, debris, and poor containment introduce harmful pathogens into patient areas, increasing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
At the same time, managing contractors, controlling costs, and staying compliant with infection control regulations add even more complexity to an already demanding role.
The good news is that infection control during construction doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right containment tools, HVAC management, and strategic planning, hospitals can reduce risks to patients and staff, meet compliance requirements, and keep projects on schedule.
Here’s how to make infection prevention a manageable and cost-effective part of your next construction project.
Construction creates a unique challenge in hospitals. Even in hospitals with strong infection control measures, construction dust, and airborne contaminants can spread beyond the work zone if not appropriately contained.
Standard procedures often are not enough to handle the risks introduced by demolition, ceiling work, and HVAC disruptions.
These challenges include:
Without the right approach, these issues put patients at risk, increase infection rates, and lead to costly compliance problems.
Properly containing the work zone is the first step to preventing the spread of infection during construction. Even small gaps in barriers allow dust and airborne contaminants to escape, putting patients at risk.
Many hospitals rely on plastic sheeting, but it tears easily and fails to provide a complete seal. A more practical solution is to use containment systems specifically designed for healthcare environments.
Temporary hard wall barriers, such as the STARC® Systems RealWall™ and LiteBarrier™, create a fully enclosed, airtight construction zone. Unlike plastic barriers that tear, sag, or leave gaps, these reusable wall systems install quickly, maintain a professional appearance, and reduce long-term costs by eliminating disposable barriers.
Mobile containment units like the DustBuggy® Classic help control contaminants during ceiling work. These sealed enclosures prevent dust from escaping into patient areas, allowing contractors to complete overhead tasks without disrupting hospital operations.
Many facility managers are switching to these solutions because they offer better protection, reduce airborne dust, and help meet ICRA compliance without constant adjustments. Plus, reusable barriers cut costs over time, eliminating the ongoing expense of disposable containment materials.
Infection prevention starts with containment — because controlling dust at the source is the most effective way to reduce contamination risks.
Even with strong containment, construction can stir up dust and airborne contaminants that quickly spread through a hospital’s HVAC system. Without the right controls in place, these particles can circulate into patient areas, increasing the risk of infections.
HEPA filtration is one of the most effective ways to maintain clean air during construction. Standard HVAC filters aren’t designed to capture the smallest airborne contaminants, leaving dust, mold spores, and bacteria free to circulate.
Medical-grade HEPA filters remove 99.99% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns — capturing the exact contaminants that put patients at risk.
What makes HEPA filters the top choice for hospitals is how they work on multiple levels to trap contaminants:
By using all three of these filtration mechanisms, HEPA filters outperform standard air filters, which are not designed for the high-stakes demands of healthcare environments.
Every renovation, upgrade, or ceiling repair in a hospital generates airborne dust. Without proper control, these contaminants spread through air vents, settle on surfaces, and reach patient areas — creating a serious risk for HAIs.
Negative air pressure prevents this. By continuously pulling air from the work zone, filtering out contaminants, and keeping dirty air from escaping negative air machines help maintain safe air quality throughout hospital construction.
HEPAFORCE® AIR Negative Air Machines create controlled airflow, pulling contaminated air from the construction site before it can spread. Built for hospital environments, they feature sealed aluminum housing for easy sanitization and hospital-grade casters for mobility, making them easy to position wherever they’re needed.
Meeting ICRA requirements is important, but the real goal is minimizing infection risks and avoiding costly setbacks. Without proper air control, construction projects can introduce airborne contaminants that can lead to infections or, worse, force temporary shutdowns.
Routine HVAC inspections and maintenance help keep filtration systems running efficiently, preventing dust and pathogens from spreading beyond the construction zone. By actively managing air quality, facility managers keep clean air clean and construction dust contained — without last-minute surprises.
Taking control of air quality means:
When air management is proactive instead of reactive, infection control becomes far easier, and construction projects stay on track.
Budget constraints are one of the biggest challenges in infection control during construction. However, hospitals don’t have to choose between safety and cost savings. With the right approach, facilities can strengthen infection prevention without unnecessary spending or cutting corners.
Replacing temporary plastic sheeting repeatedly adds up quickly. Many hospitals spend thousands of dollars on disposable barriers that don’t fully seal off construction zones.
STARC® Systems and HEPACART® filtration units provide a durable, long-term alternative that lasts for multiple projects while creating a stronger seal to stop the spread of contaminants. Instead of repeatedly buying and installing temporary barriers, facility managers save time and money with reusable containment systems built for hospital conditions.
Most infection control failures happen due to avoidable mistakes. Gaps in containment, improper airflow management, and misunderstandings of hospital protocols can lead to compliance violations, project delays, and expensive rework.
A small investment in ICRA training for staff and contractors prevents these mistakes before they happen, reducing costly setbacks and keeping projects on schedule.
Many containment and air filtration systems qualify for capital improvement budgets or healthcare grants, but funding must be secured at the right time.
By planning ahead, hospitals can use available funds instead of scrambling for last-minute solutions that strain the budget. Strategically deciding when and how to invest in infection control equipment can significantly improve affordability.
Hospital construction comes with challenges, but infection control doesn’t have to be one of them. With the right approach, patients stay protected, projects stay on track, and facility managers avoid unnecessary complications. Start by assessing your facility’s current infection control strategy:
The key to preventing infections during construction is taking control before problems arise. By strengthening containment, managing air quality, and strategically planning infection control costs, hospitals can keep patients safe while keeping projects on schedule.
Don’t wait until contamination becomes a problem. Get the solutions you need to keep your facility compliant and your patients safe.
Download the HEPA vs. ULPA Guide now to take the first step toward stronger infection prevention during hospital construction.