Many hospitals could be affected in the event of a natural disaster because of wind or water destruction; some hospitals might be flooded for long periods because of flooding. Microorganisms like mold and spores of bacteria and mold are known to contaminate structures and equipment.
Before reopening, hospitals must be examined to determine.) whether the facility needs repairs and is required to be declared a catastrophe and closed or) when the damage is enough that the facility could be repaired or rebuilt and reopened. Continue reading for more details! Learn more!
If the decision was taken to fix and then occupy the building(s), the damaged structures should be removed and destroyed so that the recycling of materials and objects is cleaned thoroughly, repaired, and returned to their original condition.
Restoring a facility to its original functions is a problematic multi-disciplinary task, requiring the assistance of engineers, experts, and specialists with expertise in building remediation, and medical equipment manufacturers are likely to be needed for the job to be accomplished.
When the repair work for the structure is complete and the building is restored to its original condition, periodic inspections of the newly renovated structure are essential to spot mold growth and begin eliminating preventive measures. Monitoring laboratory and clinical facilities inside this health center for unusual clusters of infections caused by pathogens from the environment is essential.
The information below is designed to help hospitals clean up and be open. The link for electronic versions of recommendations of Governmental organizations and professional associations is included. Implementation of these guidelines is to be carried out by the requirements of state and local certification, the finalization of building and fire inspections, and any other relevant conditions of state or local regulations.
Mold Remediation and Structural Recovery
Facilities that are damaged by rain, wind, or flooding, such as those that suffered only the loss of electricity and air circulation (i.e., there is no standing water in the structure, but prolonged times of extreme temperatures and humidity), must be assessed to determine the severity of the damage and determine if the cleanup is safe to manage by using facilities’ in-house resources as well as staff from the facility.
The requirements for personal protective equipment and cleaning methods may differ according to the extent of damage (Table). The confinement of the remediation area(s) is optional if the building is empty during the procedure.
Facilities with extensive water damage will benefit from assessment, remediation, and recovery work as professionally trained remediation firms provide.
The building(s) will first be subject to an initial building and life safety inspection to determine if the building is safe for entry and if it has electrical power that is safe to support cleaning operations. In addition, the building needs to be assessed to ensure fire safety and security. After the remediation has been completed, the primary tasks included in this process include:
- The restoration of the working sewer system;
- The extraction of standing water and sewage
- Reconstruction of potable water system
- The installation of a suitable containment system for bioaerosols in the appropriate manner (i.e., if a part or building area is being used);
- The work area should be ventilated (e.g., opening windows whenever it is), and a procedure to remove damaged materials from the area of work;
- Removal of highly contaminated or damaged materials and other building products, particularly porous materials (Some construction materials like insulation are not directly testable, and therefore moisture detection equipment must be employed. );
- Surface contamination is removed from non-porous materials with physical cleaning.
- Surfaces treated with biocide or disinfectant if it is found to be necessary;
- Drying and reassessment of water content in the remaining structural materials
- Repair and rehabilitation of the structure, as well as repair of damaged objects;
- The restoration of the power supply and backup generators
- Thorough cleaning and drying of salvageable porous objects (e.g., draperies, curtains, bedding).
Medical Equipment, devices, and supplies
Once the healthcare facility is deemed safe for entry to the premises, every medical device, equipment, and medical supplies should be scrutinized to determine what can be salvaged and what needs to be discarded.
Two primary hospitals that need to be restored include the central supply and the laundry. Ensure a stable electrical supply is stable, the water potable system has been put online, and the natural gas supply has been restored.
Examine the instrument washing equipment or laundry machine to determine whether they can be repaired to function. Consult their manufacturer for this equipment for further guidance. Re-establish the hospital’s supply of steam and verify its reliability to ensure that steam autoclaves will be functional once they are inspected for safety and tested with biological and chemical monitoring. For more information, keep reading!
When deciding what equipment for patients and medical devices are to be taken off the market, the proprietor must evaluate each item’s current condition and the potential safety risks. Manufacturers should be contacted to determine the correct damage assessment of their instruments or equipment and specific cleaning and disinfection techniques.
Water can cause harm to electronic equipment, and the moisture trapped in a piece can trigger the formation of corrosion. Don’t connect the equipment that is wet with electricity. Contact the original manufacturer for the equipment’s proper cleaning and drying instructions, or return it to manufacturer reconditioning. Recycled items require proper cleaning, disinfection, and recertification according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Initiatives for disaster management in the region must be reviewed for standing agreements between local hospitals to determine if the documents cover the temporary cleaning and reprocessing requirements of devices, instruments, and equipment. Hospitals that have not been affected by disaster destruction could offer central services for sterile supplies or laundry services while hospitals affected are working to get their reprocessing capacities back to normal.
