Construction ICRA Best Practices is an innovative program that provides patient-focused training for Carpenters and other trades working in hospitals, medical facilities or other occupied spaces. This set of best practices helps prevent the spread of disease and infection during construction at healthcare facilities. ICRA instructors also offer training opportunities to healthcare facility staff.
In a medical facility, the number one priority is patient safety. When construction starts on a hospital or other occupied medical building, it is critical the work crew shares that same priority. By hiring ICRA-certified carpenters, medical facilities are furthering their commitments to patient and staff safety, and minimizing hospital acquired infections.
Stopping the Chain of Infection
There are 1.7 million hospital-acquired infections a year, with over 98,000 of those resulting in death. Without ICRA training, hospital construction projects lacking proper protocols contribute to these statistics.
Patient Safety
Patient safety is critically compromised when untrained workers begin construction without taking proper precautions, sending airborne contaminants and possibly infectious agents into patient areas.
Professional Communication
Efficient and effective communication between medical staff and Carpenters is critical on job sites near patients. Through the ICRA program, construction workers communicate closely with hospital infection prevention experts throughout the project.
ICRA Works!
Over 570 healthcare locations already require contractors to use ICRA certified workers to perform construction and renovation projects to ensure work is done quickly, competently and safely. Over 11,000 healthcare and construction-related professionals have taken the 8-Hour Awareness Training. Over 4,400 carpenters have taken the 24-Hour ICRA Certification Training.
CMRCC carpenters trained in this program have superior skills needed to contain pathogens, protect patients, and work without disrupting operations – all while keeping a project on schedule. To receive certification, Carpenters must complete a 24-hour hands-on course. Other trades must complete an 8-hour awareness course. Keeping the Best Practices credentials requires ongoing refresher courses and re-certification every four years.
The program’s content is a product of collaboration between veteran construction instructors and healthcare facility experts who focus on construction practices in the healthcare facility industry. This comprehensive and hands-on training ensures patients, staff and visitors stay safe during hospital construction and renovation.
• Controlling contaminants and infections agents
• Personal protective equipment
• Building and maintaining hard wall and soft wall barriers
• Designated routes for workers and materials
• Effective interaction with hospital personnel
• Establishing a negative-pressure environment
• Facility awareness
• Hazmat materials and recognition
• Breaking the chain of infection
• Worker Responsibilities to patients