Opening Pandora’s (Tool) Box: Health Care Construction and Associated Risk for Nosocomial Infection.

Abstract

There are approximately 5,700 hospitals in the United States, 3,000-4,000 that are antiquated or obsolescing. To meet increased service demands, remain financially viable; meet needs to upgrade aging infrastructure and incorporate medical and technology advancements, healthcare facilities are in a perpetual state of construction. Outbreaks of nosocomial infections have historically been documented in association with construction and renovation actives within health care facilities. For most healthy individuals, environmental exposures to etiological agents, results in no adverse effects but in immune-compromised patient, they are left susceptible to inadvertent exposures during construction to opportunistic bacteria, fungi and viruses. Evidence scientifically linking construction work and nosocomial infections as well as the efficacy and clinical relevance of infection control precautions is somewhat lacking but the empirical evidence and recommendations to support protective measures is steadily growing. Opening a "Pandora's Box" during construction can unleash unintended consequences therefore; it is imperative that a thorough, multidisciplinary approach towards an infection control plan is put clearly and firmly in place allowing health care construction projects to move forward with confidence that patient safety is the first specification.

Nosocomial infection and its molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance

“…Nosocomial infection, also known as hospital-acquired infection, is a kind of infection, which is contracted from the environment or staff of a healthcare facility (1). It can be spread in various hospital environments, including nursing homes, wards, operating rooms, or other clinical settings.…”

A Decision-Making Algorithm for Rearchitecting of Healthcare Facilities to Minimize Nosocomial Infections Risks

“…Currently, consent for controlling the infections is considered an important parameter which could improve the planning, construction, and the operations of the HFs [81]. The construction of the HFs is considered a hazardous task, as many pathogens can reside in the walls and the ceilings [26]. To improve the health and the safety of the society and decrease the risk of NIs, it is important to select and organize the departments and improve the layout of the HFs [82].…”

“…Altering the design of the HFs and the departments housed in these HFs is a strategy which is used for controlling the spread of infections [25]. The construction of the HF buildings is considered to be a dangerous business, since any minor design flaw could become a fresh source of infection [26]. Many evidence-based studies have shown that the design of the HF plays a significant role in reducing the morbidity and incidence rates of the NIs, since many infection control measures are included during the design phase of the HF project [26].…”

“…The construction of the HF buildings is considered to be a dangerous business, since any minor design flaw could become a fresh source of infection [26]. Many evidence-based studies have shown that the design of the HF plays a significant role in reducing the morbidity and incidence rates of the NIs, since many infection control measures are included during the design phase of the HF project [26]. According to Lateef [27], owing to the increased incidence of new and emerging NIs, along with the higher public awareness and expectations, the designing phase of the HF buildings should be paid a lot of attention.…”

İnşaat sırasında hematoloji bilim dalında alınan koruyucu önlemler

“…Bunlar tek tek olgular olabileceği gibi, aynı anda çok sayıda olgu şeklinde de olabilir (1,2). Bu dönemde genellikle invazif fungal infeksiyonlar gözlenmekte, özellikle de Aspergillus infeksiyonları bildirilmektedir (3).…”