In the event of a loss, the immediate goal of a restoration company is to provide post-event damage mitigation services and begin restoration. In healthcare environments, the ability to work around medical functions without impacting service is crucial to the success of the project and the continuing care of patients. During a healthcare restoration project, a specialized approach is required to prioritize work areas based on the criticality of their functions.
SPECIALIZED CARE FOR CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTS
Last year, First Onsite responded to a water loss at a hospital where a six-inch sprinkler main had burst creating a catastrophic failure. Over a 4-hour period, hundreds of gallons of water were lost, flooding vital areas of the hospital.
“We had to pull all our forces together, focusing on mitigating the loss by using extraction pumps to remove three feet of water from the basement,” explains Luis Soares, a construction manager with First Onsite who oversees healthcare projects across the East Coast. “It’s a complicated task just to get rid of the water.”
The loss affected multiple vital areas of the hospital, including the basement, laundry services, and vital functioning of the hospital.
“We were dealing with areas of the hospital where patients had appointments and surgeries booked, and where it involved critical care.” The water loss had also affected the clinical engineering department, which deals with implementing and commissioning medical equipment within the hospital. “By understanding the function of each specific department, we were able to prioritize which areas needed attention first.”
First Onsite’s approach emphasizes readiness and proficiency. Each of their supervisors and project managers are Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) certified, meaning that no matter what time a call comes in, whomever responds has the basic understanding of how to function within a healthcare environment, and brings in the appropriate specialization as needed.
MINIMIZING DISRUPTION IN CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTS
Infection Control and Prevention, and Biocontainment Support all play into the unique needs of a healthcare property. First Onsite will utilize HEPA air scrubbing and negative pressurization to reduce the risk of airborne contaminants and work diligently to contain biohazardous materials and associated risks. In some cases, work will be phased to allow healthcare procedures to continue.
“When working with operating rooms, we will often phase the work by restoring a quarter of the area, mitigating that loss, and then turn that area back over for use. We will then work on the next quarter and phase the work accordingly so that the hospital continues to function.” To minimize disruption, First Onsite uses advanced techniques and materials including modular hoarding systems that can be set up quickly to delineate damaged areas.
COLLABORATION AND CLIENT ENGAGEMENT
For a healthcare restoration project to be successful, collaboration is crucial. “We engage heavily with end users, holding roundtable discussions and meetings to understand their needs and work around schedules,” Soares says.
Soares’ dedication to healthcare restoration is personal. “I consider if one of my family members needed this care. As a company, we prioritize healthcare restoration. Rain or shine, our personnel are there, ensuring hospitals get back up and running as soon as possible.”
Healthcare restoration requires a blend of specialized knowledge, readiness, and empathy. First Onsite not only brings technical know-how but also a deep understanding of the critical nature of the work. Faced with challenges and with the right support, healthcare facilities can continue to provide essential services with as little interruption as possible.
For more information, contact Kevin Spiers, Vice President, National Accounts at 416-272-5919, or visit www.firstonsite.com
