Construction Companies Are Key Partners in Preventing the Spread of Disease

from escaping into a corridor or adjoining room.

By Steve Corletta

Preventing the spread of infections has always been a priority for hospitals and healthcare centers, but that mission has come into sharper focus in recent years with the emergence of COVID-19.

A hospital’s strategy for preventing the spread of disease is a thorough regimen of disinfection and hygiene that includes scrubbing, wearing gloves and masks, and diligently sterilizing equipment. But it starts with operating in a space that helps contain infections.

At LeChase, our extensive experience in hospital and healthcare construction has shown that a hospital’s construction partner plays a key role in containing infections, notably airborne germs. A well-constructed building is the stage on which infection-control measures take place. Airtight seals and negative air pressure in key rooms – and now in more rooms than before – ensure that air moves inward and prevent airborne germs

Historically, one or two rooms in a hospital wing of 20 rooms were specially built to contain infections. While that may have been sufficient when hospitals were concerned with breakouts that were less rampant, COVID-19 changed the equation. The fast-spreading pandemic showed that more such rooms were needed. Indeed, hospitals need to be prepared to isolate everyone in a wing – this means more seals that need to be reliably airtight and more dedicated equipment for each room.

To meet the higher level of protection, LeChase applies the deeply ingrained understanding of quality control we have developed over many hospital construction projects. We also remain mindful of the hospitals’ costs, which can rise substantially with the higher capability to isolate patients. LeChase, a leading builder of healthcare facilities, applies its purchasing power and expertise to keep costs down.

We demonstrated our dedication to infection control and efficient, highquality construction at the University of Rochester, where we recently installed one of Synergy Med’s Clean Cube operating rooms in the recently-completed surgical center at the Center for Orthopaedics and Physical Performance. The prefabricated,