Construction within occupied healthcare facilities presents unique environmental challenges. Dust generated during demolition and renovation can affect patient safety, infection prevention efforts, and hospital operations if it isn’t effectively contained and monitored.
During a multi-phase operating room renovation at a large academic medical center, hospital leadership sought a proactive environmental monitoring solution to verify that construction containment measures were working and to provide immediate notification if airborne particulate levels increased.
EBI partnered with the hospital to develop and manage a continuous indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring program that supplemented traditional Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) inspections with real-time environmental data. By combining continuous particulate monitoring, rapid investigation of elevated readings, and close coordination with hospital stakeholders, EBI helped support patient safety while allowing construction to continue.
Project Snapshot
Project
Continuous Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Monitoring and ICRA Support
Industry
Healthcare
Facility Type
Academic Medical Center (name withheld)
Services
Continuous IAQ Monitoring; ICRA Support; PM2.5 & PM10 Monitoring; Real-Time Environmental Monitoring; Negative Pressure Verification; Construction Dust Monitoring; Environmental Investigation; Weekly Reporting and Trend Analysis
Duration
Multiple phases of an operating room renovation 3 to 4 months per phase
Results at a Glance
background
The hospital was completing a multi-phase operating room renovation adjacent to active surgical suites. Because construction was taking place near occupied patient care areas, maintaining effective environmental controls was critical. The hospital wanted continuous monitoring that would supplement routine ICRA inspections with real-time environmental data, verifying that containment measures remained effective and allowing project teams to respond quickly if particulate levels increased.
Challenge
- Monitor airborne particulate levels during active demolition.
- Help protect patients and staff while construction remained underway.
- Differentiate between construction-related dust and routine hospital activity.
- Investigate elevated particulate alerts with minimal disruption to hospital operations.
- Verify negative pressure performance during investigations.
- Coordinate findings with Infection Prevention, Facilities Management, and construction personnel.
EBI's Solution
EBI designed and managed a proactive continuous particulate monitoring program using SmartSense monitoring technology to measure PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations at strategic locations surrounding the construction area.
Working closely with Infection Prevention, Facilities, and construction teams, EBI investigated every elevated alert by reviewing particulate trends, confirming ongoing construction activities, verifying negative pressure performance, and identifying the likely source of increased particulate levels.
Rather than relying solely on scheduled inspections, the monitoring program provided continuous environmental visibility throughout construction and supported rapid, timely evaluation of changing conditions.
Services Provided:
- Continuous Indoor Air Quality Monitoring
- PM2.5 and PM10 Monitoring
- Project-Specific Baseline Development
- Installation and Management of Monitoring Stations
- 24/7 Remote Monitoring
- Automated Alert Notifications
- Weekly Reporting and Trend Analysis
- Investigation of Elevated Particulate Events
- Negative Pressure Verification
- Coordination with Infection Prevention and Facilities Teams
- Construction Dust Control Recommendations
Strategic Approach
EBI established project-specific baseline particulate levels before monitoring began and deployed 5 continuous monitoring stations around the renovation area. Whenever monitoring detected elevated particulate levels, EBI immediately investigated by:
- Reviewing monitoring trends
- Confirming ongoing construction activities
- Verifying negative pressure performance
- Coordinating with hospital staff and contractors
- Identifying likely sources of airborne particulates
Results
These investigations led to several improvements in construction practices, including additional worker education during demolition and debris removal, installation of an air scrubber near the construction exit, improved housekeeping procedures, relocation of monitoring equipment where appropriate, and replacement of a malfunctioning particulate monitor.
The monitoring program also helped distinguish actual environmental conditions from equipment-related issues, preventing unnecessary concern and reducing nuisance alerts over the course of the renovation.
Continuous monitoring provided real-time visibility into airborne particulate conditions, allowing the hospital to quickly identify and respond to changes that could affect adjacent patient care areas, with zero reported disruptions to surgical operations during the monitored phases.
Client Perspective
— Infection Prevention Manager, Academic Medical Center
Frequently ASked questions
What is continuous IAQ monitoring during healthcare construction?
Continuous monitoring provides real-time visibility into airborne particulate conditions, allowing hospitals to quickly identify and respond to changes that could affect adjacent patient care areas.
What is monitored during healthcare construction?
For this project, EBI continuously monitored PM2.5 and PM10 particulate levels using strategically located monitoring stations while also verifying negative pressure and investigating elevated readings.
How does continuous monitoring support Infection Control Risk Assessments (ICRA)?
Continuous monitoring complements routine ICRA inspections by providing ongoing environmental data that helps verify containment measures remain effective throughout construction.
What healthcare environmental monitoring services does EBI provide?
EBI provides continuous indoor air quality monitoring, particulate monitoring, infection control support, industrial hygiene services, negative pressure verification, environmental investigations, and construction-phase environmental consulting for healthcare facilities.
Key Project Highlights
Multi-phase operating room renovation at an academic medical center
Continuous PM2.5 and PM10 monitoring using 5 monitoring stations
24/7 remote environmental monitoring throughout construction
Real-time alert notifications and rapid investigation of elevated readings
Weekly reporting and particulate trend analysis
Coordination with Infection Prevention, Facilities Management, and construction teams
Monitoring data used to strengthen construction dust control practices
Continuous environmental oversight supporting patient care during renovation
Need Environmental Monitoring During Healthcare Construction?
Construction inside occupied healthcare facilities requires proactive environmental management to help protect patients, staff, and ongoing clinical operations.
EBI partners with healthcare organizations nationwide to provide indoor air quality monitoring, industrial hygiene, ICRA support, environmental compliance, and construction-phase consulting that helps hospitals maintain safe, compliant environments throughout renovation and expansion projects. Contact EBI to learn how our healthcare environmental consulting team can support your next construction project.