Lean Design: Preventing Infection During Construction

Strategy helps protect workers and materials from potential interaction with pathogens

By Dan Hounsell


The and processes for healthcare facilities traditionally presents a host of opportunities for waste and inefficiency. Now, as managers look for ways to streamline these operations, they need to incorporate another, even more important issue into the process — infection control.

Lean design is a process-driven approach that examines the layout, flow, processes and protocols of a hospital, focusing on identifying and eliminating problems, according to . For infection control, the application of lean design helps ensure processes for staff, patients and materials that encounter potential pathogens have as few opportunities as possible for cross-contamination with those that do not.

=

Lean design looks deeply to refine each process by minimizing unnecessary movement and waste, which inherently prevents cross-contamination. Designers who apply lean design focus on efficiency-centric metrics, such as minimizing the number of steps taken, eliminating the search for supplies and avoiding interruptions. Since every facility has different needs, designers should assess the layout and processes of a given facility during operations to identify problems and tailor specific solutions.



June 2, 2021


Topic Area: Construction


Recent Posts

The HAI Challenge Goes On

The CDC estimates that about 23,000 people die each year from 17 types of antimicrobial-resistant infections acquired in healthcare facilities.


Report: Violence Costs Hospitals More than $18B Per Year

Building safety into the facilities’ designs is one approach to preventing violence and ensuring resilience.


Doctors Imaging Group Ensnared in Data Breach Event

Their investigation determined that the network had been accessed by unknown actors between November 5, 2024, and November 11, 2024.


EaaS: Funding Infrastructure Projects with Energy Savings

Process converts necessary upgrades from capital liabilities into strategic investments using operational dollars.


Balancing Security Systems with Patient Comfort in Healthcare

Security systems, safety and inviting atmospheres don’t have to be in conflict.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.