From Response to Recovery: Infection Prevention's Role in a Flood Disaster Event

Abstract

BACKGROUND Environmental issues are a constant concern in healthcare as facilities and processes can fail when tested during natural and man-made disasters. Water damage can have more of an impact than just the initial cosmetic damage. Soil and silt intrusion from external flooding may bring in harmful bacteria and mold spores. During a recent disastrous flood, water flowed through the basement affecting critical departments including: operating rooms, sterile processing, laboratory, pharmacy, EVS and the kitchen. The Infection Prevention team adapted traditional construction principles to manage and mitigate harm to patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. METHODS Following the flood, response and recovery efforts must prioritize patient, staff and visitor safety. Incident command gathered experts early and developed prioritized response activities. As consultants in the hospital's incident command, the Infection Prevention team developed response and containment pathways to ensure hospital safety and tactics to move the process from response to recovery of critical services. Mitigation efforts were based on assessment of the situation and prioritization to restore essential hospital functions. Additionally, prospective patient surveillance was established to monitor for flood related outcomes including fungal and bacterial infections. RESULTS Innovative restoration of functions and strategic placement of barriers and ante-rooms allowed the facility to remain open and come off of divert status quickly. Due to the severity of the event, services were relocated or modified; food was catered, lab and the gastrointestinal services were moved to pre-op with temporary walls and cooling units. CONCLUSIONS The evidence supporting the purpose and function of the Infection Preventionist in construction and renovation is available but our practices are not well integrated in emergency or large scale disasters due to a lack of resources and functional, concrete tools. Using priority-driven goals, containment, and strategic remediation techniques, we were able to restore facility function while protecting patients and healthcare workers.