Managing Infection during Hospital Construction Projects

[caption id="attachment_10376" align="aligncenter" width="691" class=" "] This image was supplied by Aurecon[/caption]
Recent work at two Brisbane hospitals has pioneered a new cost-effective method for pro-actively managing infection during hospital construction and refurbishment projects.
The management of dust-related infection during construction projects has evolved to a point where the control methods are, very effective. The problem is that when these methods fail, the only indicator is patient health. By the time the hospital knows about a failure in dust management, the source of the problem has most likely been and gone. Up until recently, monitoring took the form of either a periodic audit of the control measures, or batch sampling of bacteria and mould, the results of which can take days or weeks to arrive.
One case of infection alone can cost several hundred thousand dollars in treatment, management and reporting. Costs can easily escalate into the millions when a patient or a patient’s family sues a hospital. Being able to respond rapidly to all potential failures in the control system is essential.
Hospitals have recognised that a more pro-active method of management is needed. Earlier this year, two hospitals in Brisbane, The Wesley Hospital and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital implemented the EnviroSuite system for management of dust-related infection. Both projects required operating theatres to remain in use while construction occurred close by, separated by only by temporary hoardings.
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EnviroSuite, a product developed by Pacific Environment, uses real-time monitoring of dust (particulate matter), wirelessly integrated in a web-based data repository with a system of alerts and automated reports. When above-background levels are recorded, an SMS and email alert is sent to hospital management and operational staff, on-site contractors and the project manager. The alert can be customised to describe the value that was recorded, when it was measured and which actions are required.
“EnviroSuite prompts action the moment that it is needed. Those at the site in a position to act can do so at the time that it has the most effect”, says Chaim Kolominskas from Pacific Environment, who will present the findings of the recent work with The Wesley Hospital at the 2014 Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) Conference in Adelaide this year.
Summary charts can be emailed to all project stakeholders on a daily basis, first thing in the morning. The charts clearly designate peak events and when they occurred and provide a prompt for daily reflection on dust management, as well as an important agenda item for regular project meetings.
Data can be accessed at any time by anyone involved in the project through a web-based interface. This allows for efficient distribution of information throughout the project team and provided one central source of information on performance related to dust management.
These two projects have demonstrated the overwhelming benefits of EnviroSuite for hospitals:

• A system of rapid response and avoidance of potential infection issues, overcoming the limitations of traditional responses to infection issues in this context.


• Provides management comfort that all possible measures are being taken to guarantee patient safety during construction and refurbishment projects.


• Provides a real-time and objective measure of performance.


• Prompts regular reflection and efficient communication of performance.

For more information on EnviroSuite and Pacific Environment,
visit www.pacific-environment.com