Expert Healthcare Construction Without Disrupting Patient Care

When a healthcare facility needs to expand or upgrade their facility while remaining operational, choosing the right construction company becomes critical, not just for completing the project on time and on budget, but for ensuring patient and staff safety, maintaining regulatory compliance, and minimizing disruptions to daily operations. The construction process must be carefully managed to protect vulnerable patient populations, preserve essential services, and uphold standards for infection control, privacy, and life safety. 

A qualified construction partner, like Heck Construction Company, brings specialized healthcare experience, detailed planning capabilities, and a collaborative approach to working within active clinical environments, helping your facility grow without compromising the quality of care.

Key Considerations for Safe and Compliant Healthcare Construction

1. Healthcare Construction Experience

Ask for references from similar healthcare clients, and visit completed projects if possible. A reputable firm will be transparent and proud to showcase past work.

Heck Construction Company has extensive experience in healthcare construction, especially in phased renovations or additions done while a facility remains open. Our team understands the unique demands of clinical environments, infection control, and patient safety. 

2. Infection Control and Safety Expertise

A company being considered for healthcare construction should be proficient in ICRA protocols (Infection Control Risk Assessment) and ASHE standards. Ask how they manage:

• Dust and air quality
• Noise and vibration control
• Negative air pressure zones
• Construction barriers and anterooms

We take great pride in our safety record, which consistently exceeds industry standards. Our leadership team includes CHC-trained (Certified Healthcare Constructor) professionals, and our field staff is ICRA-certified , ensuring compliance with stringent infection prevention standards throughout construction. 

3. Regulatory and Code Compliance

In healthcare construction, regulatory and code compliance is non-negotiable. The construction company you choose must have an in-depth understanding of the complex regulatory landscape that governs healthcare facilities. This includes federal, state, and local requirements, many of which directly impact patient safety, building integrity, and operational readiness.

• Joint Commission Standards

The Joint Commission sets performance and safety standards for healthcare organizations. Contractors must be familiar with how construction activities can affect accreditation readiness. This includes maintaining egress routes, minimizing disruption to patient care areas, and ensuring temporary structures (like partitions and negative air containment) meet safety and infection control standards.

• HIPAA Requirements

While contractors are not directly responsible for patient data, their work must not compromise the confidentiality of Protected Health Information (PHI). This means using physical barriers, soundproofing, and secure procedures when working near administrative offices, nurse stations, or treatment rooms where PHI is handled.

• NFPA Life Safety Code

The National Fire Protection Association’s Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) governs fire protection and egress requirements in healthcare environments. Contractors must understand how their work, such as modifying walls, ceilings, or mechanical systems affects fire ratings, smoke barriers, emergency exits, and suppression systems. They should work closely with facility safety officers and fire marshals to ensure ongoing compliance.

• Local and State Health Department Regulations

State and local health departments often require plan reviews, construction permits, interim life safety measures (ILSM), and final inspections. Your construction partner should be experienced in navigating these processes and have relationships with local code officials and inspectors.

Heck Construction goes beyond meeting these standards by proactively managing all necessary inspections, approvals, and documentation. We manage the details with precision to prevent delays, avoid costly compliance issues, and ensure your expansion is ready to serve patients safely from day one.

4. Strong Project Planning and Phasing

Heck Construction is frequently brought in during the earliest planning stages to consult on best construction practices that align with budgetary goals and clinical functionality. This early involvement allows us to develop realistic timelines, identify cost-saving opportunities, and recommend construction methods that enhance efficiency and longevity.

When considering a construction company for your healthcare project, ask to see past project schedules and how they kept operations running smoothly. Choose a company that demonstrates a clear plan to:

• Phase the work carefully
• Minimize disruption to patient care and staff operations
• Maintain access to emergency routes, utilities, and critical systems

5. Communication and Coordination

In an active healthcare facility, effective communication is essential. The right construction partner will:

• Assign an on-site superintendent experienced in healthcare settings
  
• Work closely with your internal teams (facilities, nursing, infection control)
  
• Hold regular coordination meetings and communicate clearly about impacts and timelines

Our bid-buy-run model of project management is the cornerstone of successful communication. Our Project Managers serve as the primary point of contact from pre-planning, through construction, to final closeout.

6. Emergency Preparedness

Emergency readiness is critical in healthcare construction. A qualified contractor will have contingency plans in place for utility tie-ins or shutdowns. Such events should be planned well in advance, timed to minimize impact, and communicated clearly to staff. Construction teams must be trained to handle incidents such as fire alarms, system malfunctions, medical emergencies near the job site, or breaches of secure/infection-controlled areas. Quick containment and restoration plans should be in place.

On each Heck Construction healthcare project, the team prepares an emergency action plan specific to the jobsite. This information includes direct phone numbers to the power company, location of the nearest emergency room, and many other details that ensure a swift response should an emergency arise.

Working With Heck Construction

Choosing a partner with healthcare construction experience and a collaborative mindset ensures your facility can grow without compromising safety, compliance, or care quality.

As a recognized regional leader in commercial and healthcare construction, we bring exceptional value, technical expertise, and deep industry knowledge to every project in a variety of sectors. Our approach is collaborative from the start—working closely with architects, interior designers, facility managers, IT departments, and end users to ensure each facility is tailored to the specific needs of both practitioners and patients.