Developing Infection Prevention Standards, Workflows, and Mitigation Processes in Hospital Renovations

Session Description: Construction activities in hospitals are well-documented contributors to hospital-acquired infection (HAI)–related morbidity and mortality. Infection prevention standards and stakeholder collaboration must be established early and upheld throughout the renovation process. This task can be especially challenging given the wide range of risks and pitfalls, inherent in these large, multi-phase projects. Competing priorities that are inherent between hospital Design and Construction (D&C), Life-safety, Facilities, Program Manager (PM), IP and construction crews can complicate and shift the focus away from protecting patients and staff.
Our multidisciplinary team established and refined standards and mitigation measures during a major 2.5-year long hospital expansion. The objective was to develop a standardized process that hardwires adherence to infection prevention guidelines and promotes a proactive rather than reactive approach. We identified several critical components of this process that evolved over the span of the project. The first is ensuring construction crews receive appropriate Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) training during the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase. This vital step ensures all workers understand the IP principles needed either through a facility’s training program or a purchased ICRA course. Reinforcing educational materials with real-world scenarios and clear system expectations enhances comprehension and promotes deeper understanding. Secondly, regular multidisciplinary meetings with all stakeholders are essential to proactively plan upcoming projects, ensure proper containment measures, and uphold all elements of the daily infection prevention checklist. Finally, preemptive mitigation workflows for common construction-related incidents—such as water intrusion and out-of-range environmental conditions—must be established prior to the start of any work. While not all IP incidents related to construction can be anticipated, established protocols and formalized leadership and stakeholder notification processes help reduce the risk of harm to patients and staff.

Rachel Blaydes

Infection Prevention Program Manager, UCHealth

Rachel Blaydes is the Infection Prevention Program Manager at UCHealth Longs Peak and Broomfield Hospitals in Colorado. She has a B.S. in Biology from Texas Tech University and a Masters of Public Health from The University of North Texas Health Sciences Center. She became an ovarian cancer researcher, before entering medical school in 2016. After working on a dual medical and masters of public health degree, she made the decision to leave the physician path and transition to a dedicated career in public health. She started her first infection prevention job in July 2021 and earned her CIC in July 2022. She has been a member of the Mile High APIC chapter since moving to Colorado in 2022. She has fallen in the love with this field and is eager help create meaningful advancements. She enjoys hiking with her husband and baby, reading and watching horror movies.

Christopher Olson

Infection Prevention Program Manager, UCHealth, Highlands Ranch Hospital

Chris Olson is the Infection Prevention Program Manager at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital in Colorado with 24 years of healthcare experience. He has his Associates Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and MBA in Healthcare Administration from the University of Colorado Denver. Chris has served as the Mile High APIC chapter Membership Chair from 2015-2017. In 2014 he was part of the University of Colorado Hospital Infection Prevention team awarded the APIC “Heroes of Infection Prevention” for their work with a CRE outbreak, and in 2015 Chris earned his CIC. Chris served as a Board Member to the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. serving two terms 2017-2022, and was the Treasurer in his second term. He is also a consultant for APIC Consulting LLC. Chris is a Colorado native and enjoys skiing, golfing and watching his kids play sports.

Kim Strelczyk

Consultant, Specialists in Infection Prevention & Control, LLC

Kim Strelczyk is a consultant with Specialists in Infection Prevention & Control, LLC. She has worked Infection Prevention and Control for over 30 years. She is board certified in Infection Control. Kim obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of New York and her master’s degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth where she has also served as adjunct faculty. Kim is passionate about education and is currently serving on the APIC Education Committee. She is involved in APIC at the local level, having served as President of her own chapter in Dallas-Ft. Worth. She also served the association at the national level as a Board Director, Chair of the Education Committee, and as Liaison to the Certification Board of Infection Control. She has published more than 30 articles/abstracts on topics in Infection Prevention & Control.