Recently, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill changed to online learning after a huge COVID-19 outbreak during the first week of in-person classes.
Community living environments, such as universities and skilled nursing facilities, can be vulnerable for the spread of respiratory infections.
While healthcare facilities are not universities, there is a lesson to be learned about the rush to “return to normalcy,” according to Infection Control.
The challenge is balancing what we want versus what needs to be done for staff and patient safety.
In addition to increased infection control, an important first step to reopening a building is to develop a building water management plan that evaluates all the uses of water within the building and the potential health risks, including those from Legionella and lead.
Cathryn Jakicic is healthcare industries editor of FacilitiesNet.com. For more information on hospital campuses and other medical facilities, click here.
