Renovating hospitals and medical facilities requires more than construction expertise—it demands a patient-first mindset and rigorous infection control and life safety planning.
We understand that every project inside an active healthcare environment must protect patients, staff and visitors while allowing critical renovations to move forward. “Hospital first, construction site second” is a good rule to follow. That’s why we make the Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) or Pre-construction Risk Assessment (PCRA) and properly designed containment fields a cornerstone of our healthcare construction approach.
ICRA is a structured process that identifies, manages and mitigates infection risks during construction. Hospitals are especially sensitive to dust, debris and airflow disruptions, which can jeopardize vulnerable patient populations. By implementing an ICRA plan before work begins, we ensures every phase of construction maintains compliance with healthcare regulations and prioritizes patient safety.
From complex operating room upgrades to outpatient clinic renovations, our teams are ASHE HCC-certified and trained in infection control and life safety protocols, delivering projects safely without compromising care.
Containment barriers are the visible side of ICRA. These temporary yet highly durable walls isolate construction areas, control airflow and prevent contaminants from spreading.
We construct containment fields that:
Create nearly airtight seals to maintain negative air pressure
Prevent dust and debris exposure
Allow isolated, phased construction with minimal disruption to patient services
Under stricter circumstances, reduce construction noise or maintain fire-rated assemblies
These barriers integrate with mechanical, electrical and fire protection systems and are adapted to each project’s unique needs, ensuring safe, quiet and efficient construction, even in sensitive spaces like surgical suites or imaging centers.
Our healthcare construction expertise is built on decades of delivering safe, seamless projects. Our approach to ICRA and containment fields includes:
Collaborative early planning – We involve infection prevention teams, facility managers and design partners from day one to map risks and determine the right containment strategy.
Phased MEP coordination – Careful scheduling of mechanical, electrical and plumbing tie-ins ensures no interruption to patient services. For example, at Pediatrics Specialist of Virginia, our team phased MEP work to keep operations running without disruption.
Continuous monitoring – Daily inspections, pressure monitoring and worker training confirm barriers remain effective throughout the project. At University of Michigan Health – Sparrow, we paired full-time safety leadership with digital monitoring tools to protect both patients and staff.
We’ve delivered more than $3 billion in healthcare projects over the past decade, from MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital to University of Michigan Health campuses. Across every project, our philosophy is simple: we build healthcare spaces that support healing, efficiency and trust.
By combining proven ICRA infection control practices, innovative containment barrier systems and a commitment to patient-centered construction, Christman ensures hospitals can continue their mission of care while we deliver spaces for the future.
Ready to partner on your next healthcare renovation? Contact our Healthcare Construction team to learn how we can deliver infection-controlled construction solutions that protect patients while building for tomorrow.