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52 Medical Construction & Design | J U LY/AUGUST 2018 | MCDM AG.COM BY RACHAEL FARR All construction logistics are challenging, but perhaps one of the more difficult aspects rests in managing construc- tion containment methods on healthcare projects. While the staples of infection control procedures and mitigating risks remain similar to years past, the way teams are work- ing to improve each facility's construction experience is rapidly evolving. Containment methods are an important part of every type of construction, but are espe- cially critical when performing addition or renovation work at healthcare facilities. In both instances, construction often occurs on active patient floors, within units or just feet away from patient rooms. No matter the scenario, the most impor- tant aspects of the work lie in the planning and communica- tion of what is to come. From the outset of the project, the construction team considers the best way, from a constructability standpoint, to approach regulations, phasing, material delivery, workforce routing, interim life safety mea- sures and what kind of barriers are right for the project. Once the constructability recommen- dations are decided, Robins & Morton Superintendent Jeff Jones says getting hospital staff buy-in is key. "How you get [material] and workers in and out of the space affects the staff," Jones said. "Getting their input, especially in establishing the phasing plans, helps us to bet- ter meet their needs." Once the phasing plan has been established, Robins & Morton Superintendent JT Coleman says the next important meeting is with the designers. "Once you learn the regula- tions for the area, it's impor- tant to meet with the design team," Coleman said. "I ask them to put all the planned barriers, temporary signage, interim life safety measures and egress on the drawings." Starting point: Early communication This early communication among all parties participating in the construction process helps in the early stages of kicking off the project, but both Coleman and Jones said that it can't stop there. At Jones' current proj- ect, Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital Navicent Health in Macon, Georgia, he and his team meet with the nurses that work at the addition's tie-in point every Monday. In that meeting, they discuss the week's upcoming work and address the level of noise that may occur in some of the planned activities. Jones said that by sharing this infor- mation, the staff can inform him and his team if there is a coordination issue, or an extenuating circumstance that would require them to move an activity. The hospital staff at Coleman's current project, Florida Hospital Carrollwood in Carrollwood, Florida, utiliz- es certain Lean tools, like daily stand-ups — meetings where tasks and constraints are dis- cussed. While Coleman's team worked inside the hospital, they participated in the staff 's meetings providing updates and discussing any impend- ing issues every day. Now that Coleman's team works primarily on the outside of the building, they maintain weekly touchpoints with the staff. Each project also uti- lizes various visual tools to CONSTRUCTION CONTAINMENT & PROTECTION Today's best practices keep infection control top of mind With paneled barriers, construction teams do not run the risk of collapsing barriers while maintaining negative air pressure. Interlocking panel barriers have become more frequent on healthcare construction projects, with their ease of installation and potential for reuse.