All healthcare construction requires collaboration with many stakeholders to build both correctly to published standards and safely. Effectively managing numerous new construction and renovation projects is challenging for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Departments. With the building of new inpatient units, a new hospital and a new inpatient tower we chose to assemble a construction portfolio to maintain consistency throughout all the phases of the projects.

With numerous construction projects running concurrently we had many spreadsheets, documents and recommendations saved in various areas making it difficult for members of the IPC team to easily manage and review projects. Our aim was to build a portfolio consisting of: a construction playbook based on recognized published national guidelines; internal construction contractor guidelines that provide standards for approved room fixtures and appropriate placement; and previous project recommendations for reference on future projects. The portfolio also contains a spreadsheet for each project that include the three phases of construction – design, build and occupancy. This spreadsheet details the scope of each project and the potential populations to be served. This assists in strategizing potential future staffing needs for the IPC department to oversee additional patients or programs.

The most important phase to a successful construction project is in the detailed design. We have been able to share portions of our portfolio with our internal hospital project construction managers as well as the architects and construction contractors involved in each build. This has assisted in streamlining the construction process for the IPC team and decreased the man hours involved attending meetings.

A standard, methodical approach to navigating healthcare construction projects can assist what at times may seem daunting and overwhelming. A portfolio is one tool that IPC departments can use as institutions continue to build new hospitals and renovate existing infrastructures.