Contractors working on healthcare projects face more pressure to get the work done on time and without contaminating hospital operations. Because of this, carpenters' union locals in Ontario are offering special training for construction in hospitals, according to an article on the Daily Commercial News website.

Called Construction ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment): Best Practices in Healthcare Construction, the course will be held on an on-demand basis.

"If a contractor is not dealing with infection control, they could be putting patients at health risk," said instructor Anthony Simone, adding that contractors could see their contracts suspended or terminated if they don't meet stringent infection control protocols.

Hajira Hafeez, infection control practitioner, Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH), said contractors that meet their obligations, "definitely get noticed" by hospital administrations.

The ICRA course includes installation methods of different types of containment enclosures. The use of air systems with HEPA filters, negative air and equal air pressure systems are part of the curriculum.

Read the article.