Session Description: During a rainstorm, water flooded an active construction area within the first floor of a hospital and leaked into the basement below. Areas impacted were an endoscopy room, the outpatient wound care clinic, information technology, and ancillary office spaces. Water intrusion events in healthcare settings can have drastic impacts on clinical care and staff safety. Infection preventionists must make immediate recommendations to mitigate the risks from flooding. The infection prevention team had to navigate competing priorities and adjust recommendations due to unexpected delays. They remained focused on the ultimate goal of preventing infection and ensuring the area was restored to a safe condition for patients and staff.
Learning Objectives:
Describe unforeseen situations that can be barriers to timely flood restoration.
Detail possible strategies to mitigate those situations and remove barriers.
Demonstrate knowledge of key principals in mold remediation within existing construction containment.