CHC CHC Infection Control & Interim Life Safety 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A healthcare construction project requires workers to pass through an occupied patient unit to access the work zone. The BEST infection control solution is to:
- Schedule worker access only during night shifts
- Establish a dedicated corridor or anteroom that bypasses occupied patient areas (Correct answer)
- Require workers to don full surgical gowns and masks
- Limit the number of workers entering per day
Correct answer: Establish a dedicated corridor or anteroom that bypasses occupied patient areas
Establishing a dedicated route that avoids occupied patient care areas is the most effective way to prevent construction-related contamination from being tracked through clinical spaces.
Question 2: What does the term 'negative pressure' refer to in the context of a construction anteroom or enclosure?
- Air pressure that is lower inside the enclosure than outside, causing air to flow inward (Correct answer)
- The psychological stress experienced by workers in confined spaces
- A vacuum system used to collect construction debris
- Air pressure that is higher inside the enclosure than outside
Correct answer: Air pressure that is lower inside the enclosure than outside, causing air to flow inward
Negative pressure means the interior of the construction zone has lower air pressure than surrounding areas, so air flows in rather than out, preventing dust and contaminants from escaping.
Question 3: Which document formally authorizes construction work to begin after all ICRA and ILSM measures have been verified?
- Certificate of Occupancy
- Construction Work Permit or Permit to Proceed (Correct answer)
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) sign-off
- Joint Commission Pre-Survey Checklist
Correct answer: Construction Work Permit or Permit to Proceed
A Construction Work Permit (or Permit to Proceed) issued by the facility confirms that all required infection control and life safety measures are in place before work may begin.
Question 4: When decommissioning a construction enclosure upon project completion, the CORRECT sequence is:
- Remove barriers first, then clean and HEPA-vacuum the space
- HEPA-vacuum and wet-mop all surfaces, then carefully remove barriers while containing dust (Correct answer)
- Open the enclosure during peak foot traffic hours to allow natural dilution
- Remove barriers and immediately restore HVAC connections before cleaning
Correct answer: HEPA-vacuum and wet-mop all surfaces, then carefully remove barriers while containing dust
All surfaces inside the enclosure must be cleaned and HEPA-vacuumed before barriers are removed to prevent residual dust from spreading to patient areas during deconstruction.
Question 5: An ILSM hot work permit for welding in a healthcare facility typically requires which of the following BEFORE work begins?
- Approval from the general contractor's insurance carrier
- Disabling nearby smoke detectors and notifying the fire watch team (Correct answer)
- Disconnection of the building's main fire alarm panel
- Written approval from the local fire marshal only
Correct answer: Disabling nearby smoke detectors and notifying the fire watch team
Hot work permits typically require temporary disabling of smoke detectors in the immediate area (with fire watch coverage) and notifying security and the fire watch team to prevent false alarms and ensure rapid response.
Question 6: During construction, a worker removes ceiling tiles and discovers visible mold growth on the deck above. The worker should:
- Scrub the mold with a wire brush and continue work
- Immediately replace the tiles, seal the area, and notify the facility's infection control and facilities management (Correct answer)
- Apply a coat of mold-resistant paint and proceed after drying
- Document the finding and wait for the next scheduled safety meeting
Correct answer: Immediately replace the tiles, seal the area, and notify the facility's infection control and facilities management
Discovery of mold requires immediate containment of the area and notification of infection control and facilities management to assess extent, test if needed, and initiate proper remediation.
Question 7: Which ventilation standard is most commonly referenced for minimum air changes per hour (ACH) requirements in healthcare construction and renovation projects?
- ASHRAE Standard 62.1 (Commercial Ventilation)
- ASHRAE Standard 170 (Ventilation of Health Care Facilities) (Correct answer)
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (Construction Industry Standards)
- NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Code)
Correct answer: ASHRAE Standard 170 (Ventilation of Health Care Facilities)
ASHRAE Standard 170 specifically governs ventilation requirements for healthcare facilities, including minimum ACH, pressure relationships, and filtration requirements for various room types.
CHC CHC Infection Control & Interim Life Safety 5
A healthcare construction project requires workers to pass through an occupied patient unit to access the work zone.
The BEST infection control solution is to: