By Healthcare Facilities Today

The International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC) recently conducted a Q&A with WHR Architects' architect and medical planner Kyle Basilius. An article on the Healthcare Construction + Operation website detailed his advice on controlling hazardous materials and access zones to increase patient and employee safety.

Q: One thing you’ll speak about at Next Generation Healthcare Facilities Summit is controlling circulation of hazardous material within health care facilities. What are some key things health care professionals should keep in mind when dealing with variables such as hazardous and sterile materials?

A: There are five crucial tips to consider when securing sterile and hazardous material.

1. Healthcare facilities should define back of house and front of house circulation access security points. From this line, organize your departments and circulation patterns to allow for a secure and monitored course of travel.

2. Develop an operational plan for the secure removal of hazardous materials from the patient to a final collection site.

3. Technological monitoring and/or physical monitoring along the hazardous materials path of travel is essential. 

4. Sterile materials want to be kept separate from any interaction with hazardous materials, and often times, other clean materials.

5. Securing hazardous waste/pharmaceutical waste in a room is key. 

Read the article.