It Rained What in Where? A Collaborative Approach to Improve Response and Remediation of Water Intrusions in Clinical Areas

Abstract

<h3>Background</h3> Water intrusions in clinical areas pose major challenges by significantly impacting patient care, patient flow, and structural integrity. Proper remediation is imperative to protect patients from environmental pathogens, construction debris, dust, and mold. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and Facilities Services proactively partnered to improve our water intrusion response. Using Performance Improvement (PI) methodologies, we worked to collaboratively create a standardized process for response, communication, and remediation of water intrusions that impact patient care environments. <h3>Methods</h3> Key stakeholders from IPC, EHS, and Facilities were assembled to assess current state processes and resources. The Lean/Six Sigma methodology of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) was utilized to identify and improve workflow and procedures. Current-state process maps were created and fishbone diagrams were used to identify key root causes. To measure success, identified deviations in procedure or communication were tracked by EHS or IPC in an electronic system. <h3>Results</h3> Process-mapping revealed shift- and staff-dependent variation in communication and response to water intrusions. During Improve phase, the team generated one standardized process applicable to any shift and any Facility department, further clarified roles and responsibilities in existing procedures, streamlined alerts, and created a checklist to ensure reliable remediation. This checklist eliminated department-specific job aids, generated smoother hand-offs between shifts, and fostered departmental accountability. The last 6 months of work resulted in a 50% reduction in reported deviations in communication or remediation compared to baseline. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Using PI methodology, we collaborated with key stakeholders to generate a standardized process for communicating, immediately responding, and remediating water intrusions in patient care environments. Next steps include continued collaboration with Facilities to standardize workflows for other infrastructure failures.