July 10, 2013
In today’s healthcare reality, there is improved sanitation and public health, greater access to preventative care and vaccinations, and increased life expectancy for patients. New technology and more intensive care units also mean that healthcare facilities are able to treat patients with more severe injuries and illnesses than ever before.
Unfortunately, this also means that more and more patients have a greater risk for infection due to their illnesses, injuries, and compromised immunes system. It’s tough enough to protect patients from harmful bacteria and mold contaminants on a daily basis. But when construction or renovation work becomes a part of the picture, controlling these contaminants can become near impossible if the correct planning and preventative measures are not in place.
Here are some statistics to put these risks into perspective:
- According to the CDC, there are 2 million hospital-acquired infections every year.
- These infections result in 110,000 deaths each year.
- This means that every day, 6 people die in each state.
- This is 3 times more than deaths from traffic accidents (33,000 per year) and almost 7 times the rate of homicide deaths (16,000 per year).
- The first question that is asked when a patients dies from one of these infections is, “Is there construction going on?“
- Approximately 5,000 of these deaths are directly related to construction or renovation work in the healthcare facility.
- In other words, 100 people across the country die every week from construction-related infections.
We can help you assess and control risks that may escalate during construction and renovation so you can provide and a safe, healthy environment for your patients and employees.