The provision of a safe environment for those receiving healthcare is essential and has an important role in preventing Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs).
Our decontamination programme widened its remit in 2017 to incorporate the built environment. It was expanded due to the increasing requests for built environment support by health boards for outbreaks and incidents.
The programme is responsible for the delivery of infection prevention interpretation of current technical guidance documents regarding the physical environment. The delivery of supporting documents for service users will detail relevant guidance of the healthcare setting, including ventilation and water systems, for each clinical area.
The built environment in healthcare covers the construction and adaptation of healthcare buildings as well as the design and provision of healthcare services in all clinical areas.
Support with technical engineering expertise for the built environment is provided by Health Facilities Scotland.
Publications
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital/Royal Hospital for Children: water contamination incident Rapid Review of Healthcare Associated Infection Risks and Outbreaks Associated with Healthcare Ventilation Systems
- Rapid Review of Surgical Site Infection Risks Associated with Healthcare Ventilation Systems
- Guidance for neonatal units (NNUs) (levels 1, 2 & 3), adult and paediatric intensive care units (ICUs) in Scotland to minimise the risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection from water