Infection Control

Promoting Infection Control and Outbreak Management Practices

The leading-edge design of the NHS health-care complex will implement the best practices in infection prevention and control. Boasting the highest percentage of single patient rooms of any hospital in the province, the design of the new health-care complex will help to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

We have designed the facility to segregate inpatient and outpatient zones to allow for complete zone isolation in the event of a pandemic or other significant event. The focus on safety and on the separation of patients, staff and service into zones distinct from the public will also enhance infection control and outbreak management. This in turn will be supported by good design practices in the detailed planning of rooms and departments.

The isolation of airborne infection requires a negative pressure room. Negative pressure rooms will be used to prevent cross-contamination, and ventilation systems will be designed to keep contaminated air from flowing to other parts of the facility.

MoHLTC Infection Control Policies

The NHS health-care complex will comply with Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MoHLTC) infection control policies. All MoHLTC standards for finishes, material selection and construction detailing will be met to ensure best practices for cleaning, maintenance, and disease control.

Hand-washing is the number one way to prevent the spread of infections. Hand-washing stations for staff will be located throughout the facility in directly viewable areas at departmental entries, at entries to inpatient rooms and in all treatment clusters. Also, separate sinks will be provided in each room for patients and staff.