During a construction project, healthcare facility managers' top priority is keeping patients safe. Interim life safety measures often are needed during a renovation project or new construction, according to an article on the Health Facilities Management website.
Unlike typical building projects, hospitals rarely can shut down when additions are built or spaces are renovated.
"Figuring out how to work through the issues, how to get the project done and, at the same time, not have a detrimental impact on the patients — that is the challenge," Tim Adams, director of leadership development for the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), said in the article.
"It would be great if there were a cookie-cutter solution, but there is not. We have to come up with a solution for every project."
One concern during a renovation project is the risk of infection caused by dust and other contaminants from the construction site.