As a facility manager, you are the first line of defense in maintaining a safe environment during construction. Infection risks don’t stop once a project begins — they require proactive planning, real-time management, and ongoing oversight to protect patients, staff, and contractors.
A strong infection control strategy keeps projects moving, prevents costly setbacks, and protects the hospital’s reputation. When done right, it reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and creates a safer, healthier environment for everyone.
A proactive infection control plan sets the foundation for a safe and efficient construction process. Identifying potential risks early prevents contamination, keeps projects running smoothly, and protects both patients and staff.
The Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) provides a structured approach to reducing contamination risks before work begins. It helps answer key questions such as:
Taking the time to assess risks and establish containment protocols early leads to a safer, more predictable construction process — protecting both patients and project timelines.
Not all hospital spaces face the same level of infection risk. Some areas, such as ICUs and surgical units, require heightened containment and air quality measures to prevent contamination.
To manage infection risks effectively, areas can be categorized by risk level:
Minimizing exposure in high-risk areas requires careful coordination. Construction zones should be clearly marked, entry restricted to authorized personnel, and pathways designated to limit unnecessary movement near patient care areas. Scheduling work during off-peak hours further reduces patient exposure and operational disruptions.
With these measures in place, infection risks are reduced, and critical areas remain protected throughout the project.
Hospital construction presents unique challenges, especially when it comes to keeping patients safe and minimizing disruptions. Infection risks continue throughout the project, and without a clear plan, well-defined roles, and strong communication, missteps can lead to compliance violations, patient exposure, and costly delays.
A structured infection control strategy starts with thorough planning, continues with strong leadership, and remains effective through clear communication at every stage of the project.
Even the best precautions fail without a structured, well-defined plan. Infection control requires proactive management to prevent patient exposure, compliance violations, and project delays.
A successful plan includes:
Remember, infection control during healthcare renovations only works when everyone follows the same plan. It’s vital that you coordinate construction teams, hospital staff, and infection prevention specialists to make sure that every role is clearly defined and that safety measures are followed throughout the project.
Well-defined expectations are the key to keeping projects on track and protecting patients. As a facility manager, your leadership brings contractors, hospital staff, and infection prevention teams together under a shared plan.
Contractors need clear guidance on containment procedures, proper use of infection control equipment, and minimizing disruptions in patient areas. Hospital staff look to you for direction on safely navigating construction zones and preventing contamination risks.
When roles and responsibilities are clearly defined from the start, teams work more efficiently, safety protocols stay intact, and disruptions to patient care are minimized. A structured approach to setting expectations helps prevent confusion, keeps projects moving forward, and strengthens infection control efforts throughout the construction process.
Ongoing communication is critical to keeping teams aligned and infection control efforts effective. Facility managers act as the connection point between hospital leadership, infection prevention teams, and contractors, ensuring that everyone stays on the same page.
Pre-construction meetings help align teams on safety protocols, containment strategies, and potential risks before work begins. Once construction is underway, regular safety briefings, air quality checks, and real-time updates help teams anticipate challenges, address issues proactively, and maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
When communication is consistent, projects move smoothly forward, and infection control measures remain effective throughout.
Even with strong infection control measures, unexpected contamination events can still occur — a dust barrier fails, an air filtration system malfunctions, or an emergency patient needs immediate access through a construction zone.
The best way to prevent disruptions is to plan for them before they happen. Identifying potential failure points early, training teams on containment protocols, and keeping backup HEPA air filters and containment barriers ready allows you to respond quickly and effectively.
If and when a problem arises, a structured response plan keeps hospital operations running, limits patient exposure, and prevents delays from escalating into more significant issues. With the proper preparation, emergencies become manageable instead of chaotic.
To keep patients safe and projects on track, infection control measures must remain effective from start to finish. This requires using the right systems to contain contaminants, maintain air quality, and monitor risks throughout the project.
These include:
With these systems in place and infection control actively managed, construction can progress safely without putting patients at risk or interrupting hospital operations.
As a facility manager, your leadership in infection control protects patients, prevents delays, and keeps construction on track. With proactive planning, clear communication, and the right containment measures, you create a safe environment where projects move forward while minimizing risks to patient care.
The right tools and strategies make all the difference. Our HEPA vs. ULPA Guide outlines the most effective air filtration solutions to help you choose the best option for infection control in healthcare construction.
Download the guide today to strengthen infection control in your next project.