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When a longer-term barrier is needed a hard wall barrier
or rigid wall is used.
NOTES FOR SLIDE 44
Long-term barriers are used when
the work is going to take longer than
one shift or if the work is going to
generate a large amount of dust.
A hard wall barrier or rigid wall is
most commonly constructed using
metal studs and drywall. It is
important that hard-wall barriers are built to local fire codes. If you see a breach
in the barrier make sure you report it right away. Preventing the spread of a fire is
critical in a hospital.
Occasionally, the existing walls and doors may provide a sufficient barrier to
prevent the spread of dust and will be used as the barrier. Regardless if the
existing walls and doors are used or a hard-wall barrier is constructed, openings
and penetrations need to be sealed.
ASK THE CLASS:
What are some examples of openings and penetrations that may be found in a
hospital that would require sealing?
Write the participant responses on a whiteboard or flipchart. Compare the
list generated by the participants with the examples listed below.
Examples of openings and penetrations that should be sealed:
Joints of unused doors and windows
Doors to adjoining rooms
Air vents
Floor cracks
Ductwork
Pipes
Deck, the actual ceiling above the ceiling tiles
Wall and ceiling penetrations such as medical equipment, TVs, or
computers, electrical devices, switches, medical gas outlets, receptacles
and cabling
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Anterooms separate work area from the patient
occupied area of the hospital.
NOTES FOR SLIDE 45
ASK THE CLASS:
Do you know what an anteroom is?
Explain that an anteroom is a small
separate barrier room at the
entrance to a work area, with doors
at each end. This small room is
used to help maintain negative air
pressure in the main work area, to
put on and take off Personal Protective Apparel, and to add another layer of dust
control at the entry to a worksite.
Remind participates that even though there are two doors in an anteroom, only
one door is open at a time, so you don’t interrupt or
lose the negative air
pressure. The doors should be self-closing, with a spring, closer, or spring
hinges. Even with these precautions, workers must remember to close the doors.
Doors in/out of the anteroom are large enough and configured so equipment and
trash carts can be brought through without damaging the doors.
An anteroom is as a changing room to put on Patient
Protective Apparel.
NOTES FOR SLIDE 46
Review the information on the slide.
Explain to the class they will see
examples of the Patient Protective
Apparel in a few minutes.
The anteroom is also the place
where workers will use a HEPA
vacuum or damp wipes to remove
dust from their clothing, PPE, tools and equipment leaving the work area.
The anteroom is the last line of defense for keeping dust from leaving the work
area!
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ASK THE CLASS:
What is the biggest difference between Patient Protective Apparel and Personal
Protective Equipment?
Answer:
PPA is worn to protect the patients and PPE is worn to protect the worker.
Personal protective apparel is worn to prevent the
spread of construction dust.
NOTES FOR SLIDE 47
Before starting this section,
bring samples of PPA into the
classroom. Recommend having,
as a minimum, a set of gloves,
shoe covers and a disposable
coverall.
The ICRA Plan will specify the PPA
that must be worn. Remember,
PPA is about protecting the patients, not about protecting you. PPA is usually
found inside the anteroom. You must put on the PPA before leaving the worksite
and entering the hospital. Failure to wear your PPA could result in disciplinary
actions including termination!
In most cases, PPA is disposable and will only be worn once. If you are reusing
PPA such as cloth or
paper coveralls, or putting them back on again after a
break, vacuum them before taking them off. Do not contaminate clean disposable
garments with dirty ones, such as sticking used boot covers in the pocket of
clean coveralls.
Pass around the samples of PPA so the class participants can get a better
understanding of the types of materials the PPA is made of.
Ask if there is anyone who would like to try on the PPA. If no one
volunteers, the instructor should demonstrate how to don the PPA. Keep
the PPA on. The next slide will discuss how PPA is removed.