Infection Control and Hospital Design

AIALA Committee on Architecture in Healthcare presents…

Infection Control and Hospital Design

Construction projects can introduce unique risks to the healthcare environment which can derail infection control plans and put patients in harm’s way.  A multi-disciplinary approach to infection prevention and control, especially in hospital renovations with ongoing patient care, requires seasoned architects who collaborate effectively with Infection Preventionists during design and contractors during construction to prevent and mitigate risk factors.  The AIALA Healthcare Committee is delighted to partner with the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) to help us better comprehend how to ensure patient safety in the design and construction of hospital projects.

AIA CES: 1 LU/HSW

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify key design strategies for HVAC, plumbing, materials, and finishes to eliminate infection contamination in new hospitals
2. Understand how meaningful collaboration with an Infection Preventionist can ensure that infection control measures are properly implemented in your design
3. Explore how a thorough Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) can mitigate risks to patient safety and well-being during the construction of a healthcare facility renovation
4. Learn how to effectively implement Interim Life Safety Measures (ILSM) to maintain sterile conditions in ongoing hospital operations during construction.

MODERATOR:

Hunvey Chen, AIA, LEED® AP BD+C, DBIA – Regional Leader of Healthcare | HOK

Finding her passion for healthcare architecture over 18 years ago, Hunvey Chen has been part of every major recent healthcare project in the Los Angeles office during her tenure at HOK which includes the MLK Behavioral Health Center, Kaiser Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw MOB, Ventura County Medical Center, Scripps Prebys Cardiovascular Institute, Cedars-Sinai Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion and the Saint John’s Millennium Project.  In addition to her expertise with infection control applications in healthcare design, Hunvey’s project management and technical proficiency is strengthened by her collaborative teaming with the owner, consultants, and contractors.

PANELISTS:

Pam Teitelbaum, RN, MSN, BSN CIC – Infection Preventionist | Cedars-Sinai Medical Care Foundation

Overseeing Infection Prevention practices within Cedars-Sinai Medical Network’s 75 communities of physicians, surgeons and specialty departments, Pamela Teitelbaum serves as the primary educator and trainer for high-level instrument disinfection and reprocessing.  Prior to Cedars, Pamela served as IP at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks Surgical Hospital, where she established the hospital-wide Infection Prevention and Control Program, managed Risk Management and Quality Improvement Plans, implemented patient safety and clinical risk management initiatives, and led clinical teams to obtain Regulatory Compliance accreditation form Det Norske Veritas (DNV). 

Carissa Drucker, RN – Infection Preventionist | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

A registered nurse of 40 years and Nurse Epidemiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for more than a decade, Carissa Drucker is responsible for infection prevention and surveillance for the heart transplant/cardiac surgery programs.  In addition to observing practices and reporting communicable infections to local health departments, Carissa implements infection control initiatives, develops infection control policies, and initiates quality improvement projects. In 2019, she re-designed Cedars-Sinai’s Infection Control Risk Assessment to achieve a more consistent approach to the permitting process for construction projects at the Medical Center.

Annemarie Flood, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC, FAPIC – Senior Manager, Infection Prevention Program | City of Hope

An expert in the field and active APIC member for over 20 years, Annemarie Flood specializes in infection prevention and its interface with the environment of care and immunocompromised patients.  A frequent lecturer on the topic, Annemarie has published articles in Prevention Strategist, American Journal of Infection Control, as well as “The Immunocompromised Host” in the APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology, 4th ed.  She has served as an APIC officer at the local, state, and national level, and was honored to be elevated to Fellow in 2016.  Annemarie currently serves on APIC’s Board of Directors as Secretary.

Neeti Vyas, MBBS, MPH, CIC – Infection Preventionist, Antimicrobial Stewardship Liaison | USC Keck Medical Center & Norris Cancer Hospital

A board-certified Infection control practitioner, Neeti Vyas works closely alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, OR nursing staff, and pharmacists, applying evidence-based practice to reduce surgical site infections in Surgical Intensive Care, Abdominal Transplant, and Surgical Oncology Units.  A published author, Neeti ushered in the change of test for Clostridiodes Difficile (C.diff) at USC Keck Medical Center & Norris Cancer Hospital.  Currently, she is collaborating with the Lean Academy to advance isolation precautions and the timely capture of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), and improve PPE usage at USC. 

Mikhail Fuks, PE, HFDP, DBIA – Engineering Group Leader | P2S Inc.

Specializing in complex, phased healthcare facilities for both acute and outpatient care, Mikhail Fuks leads a high-performance team of MEP project managers, engineers, and designers who reconcile challenging design, schedule, and budget parameters while achieving sustainability goals and minimizing infection contaminants during construction and final operation.  His more than 15 years of experience includes the MLK Behavioral Health Center, Huntington Memorial Hospital Campus Infrastructure Improvements, Healthcare Partners MOB, Canyon Springs Outpatient MOB Complex, Orange Coast Memorial Health Center, and St. John Regional Medical Center Emergency Department.

Adam Hartwell – Senior Project Manager | Bernards

As Sr. Project Manager overseeing Bernards’ construction operations at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Adam Hartwell has ensured the execution of proper infection control procedures, anticipating challenges and implementing proactive methods to prevent negative impacts to ongoing patient care.  A strategic expert at pinpointing effective Infection Control Barriers for multi-phased construction in operational healthcare facilities, Adam’s project experience prior to joining Bernards includes: St. Jude Medical Center Northwest Tower Kaiser Fontana Replacement Hospital, and St. John’s Health Center Diagnostic and Treatment Center.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS:  Gas Company Tower Parking Rates: $46.00 max (In before 4 pm) // $14.75 max (In after 4 pm)

Refreshments will be served.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
City of Hope
USC Keck Medical Center & Norris Cancer Hospital
Knoll
Southwest Carpenters
Tangram | Health
Bernards
HOK
P2S