On November 16, 2011, a leading standard-based solutions organization named CSA Standard launched the "Health Care Facilities Standard", also known as "Standard Z8000". It is the first comprehensive national standard in Canada to address the planning, design, renovation and construction of hospitals and health care facilities.
Enacted in order to improve the health of Canadian patients and addressing issues specific to health care facilities such as the prevention and control of infection, the management of pandemics and large-scale emergencies, the complexity of moving and caring for obese patients, the protection of newborns and the elderly, the food services, maintenance and security, the new Standard is however not mandatory.
It is indeed on a voluntary basis that the different players in the construction industry will follow this Standard that is intended to be applicable to all facilities providing health care. In addition to the improved care, it is said that this new standard will enable the pursuit of more efficient and less expensive projects while also integrating environmental concerns into the design and construction process.
Given the novelty of this standard, it will be interesting to see how it will be received by the industry and, for our part, we are committed to continue to study this document in order to properly advise all our clients who take part in the construction of health care facilities.
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