After previous studies showed that patients in healthcare facilities were becoming ill due to dust generated by construction activity researchers from Washington State University and Clemson University asked 129 construction managers and field supervisors from the top healthcare contractors in the US for details on their training programs. According to Construction Dive's Kim Slowey, "only 52% of those surveyed said that owners of healthcare projects always or often required construction teams to receive training about how to perform work safely in or near occupied healthcare facilities, but 77% said that such training was typically required at the start of projects."

But, most of these training programs are geared toward upper management and often exclude or minimize the training time offered to workers and subcontractors who have closer contact with patients.

Dust and debris created by renovation activities and nearby construction can transfer contaminants into patient areas which can promote the growth of pathogenic fungi, Slowey writes. As such, all of the workers involved in construction work adjacent to patient facilities should receive the appropriate training to mitigate the risk of spreading disease.

Construction Dive gathered some of the guidelines proposed by the University of Virginia Health system for contractors to practice during construction opportunities. Those include:

• Use negative pressure systems monitored with a continuous-read negative air pressure monitor, smoke test with daily log or handheld manometer with daily log.
• Wait for patients to be removed before work begins in certain areas.
• Replace displaced ceiling tiles.
• Cleanup after work is complete by either wiping down the area or by using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuum.
• Use approved ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) containment barriers.
• Control dust while cutting using water mist, a HEPA vacuum or other effective measures.
• Seal unused doors with painters' tape.
• Use dust control mats and all points of access.
• Transport construction waste out of the work area using clean containers with hard covers.
• Isolate the HVAC system in areas where work is going on to prevent contamination of the ducts system.