BY PATRICK SCHULTZ & ANA PINTO-ALEXANDER
PHOTOS BY BLAKE MARVIN
One in 25 patients will contract a
healthcare-associated infection during
his or her hospital stay. Of these, one in
nine patients who acquire an infection
will die during, or as a result of, their
hospitalization. This ranks as the third
largest cause of death in the Western
world. Direct costs for HAIs are estimated
to range from $36 billion to $45 billion
annually. This does not include the risk of
others, such as staf and guests, contracting
HAIs. Protecting patients, visitors and
staf from the spread of infection is
a primary concern for healthcare.
Types of transmission
The hospital environment serves as a
key reservoir for pathogens. The pri-
mary transmission routes by which
bacteria and other multidrug-resistant
microorganisms propagate include:
Contact. Microorganisms transmitted
by human contact. Precautions include
hand-washing, gloving, masking, appro-
priate handling of linen, environmental
control, seamless fl ooring and smooth
materials such as solid surface material,
vinyl, chemical-resistant plastic laminate
and placement of sink and glove boxes.
Airborne. Microorganisms transmitted
by evaporated droplets that can easily dis-
sipate. Precautions include private patient
rooms with negative air pressure, and air
change of 12 times per hour through moni-
tored HEPA fi ltration. Hospital HVAC
systems not properly cleaned or operated
can become sources of dust and moisture,
Interior design practices that
promote infection control
Front-Line Protection
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Medical Construction & Design | SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2015 | MCDM AG.COM