A SAFER Experience
By Logan Johnson. P.E.
At Sullivan Construction, we understand that maintaining a safe and clean environment in the construction setting is essential to a good construction experience. In an occupied hospital, this is the paramount priority and the stakes are high.
Hospital facility managers constantly monitor building health and systems, relying on tools such as the SAFER Matrix—Survey Analysis for Evaluating Risk®—developed by The Joint Commission. This tool scores each Requirement for Improvement (RFI) by evaluating the likelihood that a deficiency could cause harm and the prevalence of the issue. In occupied hospitals, high-risk findings require prompt, decisive action to protect patient safety.
I recently attended a presentation by Jim Grana, MBA, CHSP, a Life Safety Code Field Director at The Joint Commission. He discussed safety inspection trends and top findings identified over the last few years. Although most RFIs fall into low-risk categories, a few high-risk issues arise year over year— and at least for two years, those issues were all related to construction activities.
While facility managers are responsible for overseeing hospital infrastructure, construction activities in occupied hospitals are typically managed by the general contractor who is doing the renovation. These contractors may not be fully versed in the stringent hospital standards required by the industry.
I spoke with Jim after his presentation, and he gave me more insight into the types of construction related issues that have arisen in the past two years. He told me that these high-risk issues are typically related to the following three things: ventilation, barrier integrity/continuity, and site security.
Sullivan Construction has experience in renovation projects in occupied hospitals which has given us a deep understanding of the unique challenges and high-risk areas—highlighted by the SAFER Matrix—that require a specialized approach. We know that patient safety and continuous hospital operations are non-negotiable, and our team is committed to delivering results that uphold standards in both construction quality and safety.
Customized Safety Solutions: Sullivan Construction’s project supervisors work closely with facility management, facilities teams, and safety officers to develop a project plan that addresses specific high-risk areas, including those identified during the Joint Commissions Safety Inspections.
Minimal Disruption: We have a track record of executing construction projects in occupied environments with minimal disturbance to clinical operations. Our careful planning and adherence to rigorous safety protocols ensure that patients continue to receive quality care without compromise.
Collaborative Partnership: We view every project as a partnership. As you strive to enhance hospital safety while supporting high-quality patient care, we stand by your side as experts in construction and facility improvement, ensuring every facet of the project is aligned with the hospital’s safety and operational goals.
Ready to Build a Safer Future Together?
If you're planning renovations or new construction within an occupied healthcare facility, don't leave safety to chance. Partner with a team that understands the stakes and delivers with precision, care, and deep respect for your clinical operations.
Reach out to Sullivan Construction today to discuss how we can support your project goals while safeguarding patient well-being every step of the way. Let’s build safer, smarter, together.
