Amanda Brown
Amanda has a passion for teaching and learning. She earned her teaching degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and continued to earn her Master of Education from Concordia University-Portland. She has served as an educator in various capacities including serving at-risk youth and leading adult education programming. As an Education Specialist for Carpenters Training Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota, she uses her skills as an educator to provide ICRA healthcare construction best practice training to contractors, facility staff, and healthcare professionals. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys attending her children’s sporting events and spending time with family. 

Nick Hoffman
As a carpenter instructor at the Carpenters Training Institute, Nick enjoys teaching members to be successful in the world of carpentry. Along with teaching wood frame, print reading, concrete forms, and OSHA classes, Nick also strives to help prepare the next wave of Union carpenters to be successful in the digital world of construction through the use of 3D modeling tools, BIM technologies, and construction management software. He is proficient in systems like Procore, Navisworks, and Sketchup and enjoys finding ways to incorporate these technologies into more efficient work processes.  In his free time, Nick enjoys hiking trips, playing volleyball, and soaking up as much time as he can with his 14-year-old Pitbull, Stella. 

Christa Mardaus
Christa Mardaus has worked in the construction industry for 20 years, gaining experience in large commercial projects, multi-family wood frame, and healthcare construction. As a seasoned instructor, she is passionate about improving Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) awareness and communication. In addition to training, she is also involved in committees such as curriculum development and W.I.C. Christa has trained leaders in carpentry at the Carpenters International Training Center. She has been asked to lead Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion sessions for contractors and trade partners as well as organizations like the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). She has spoken at various state healthcare engineering conferences for the Minnesota Healthcare Engineering Association (MHCEA), Wisconsin Healthcare Engineering Association (WHEA), and the North Dakota Engineering Society (NDHES). Christa also has spoken at various national and state events for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).  

Outside of the office, Christa enjoys hockey games, horse shows, and family time. 

Brief Description
Healthcare construction is unavoidable. The blueprint is a cornerstone of a successful construction project. However, often, Infection Prevention is an oversight. This presentation will focus on empowering those working in infection prevention roles during construction. Using the blueprints as a tool, Infection Prevention can mitigate risk during construction and beyond. Participants in this session will gain a foundational understanding of blueprints and identify useful tools to navigate them in the early stages of construction planning. By better understanding these documents and tools, the IP can use their expertise and apply the design considerations required by the FGI and other state agency design requirements. Incorporating infection prevention requirements during the design phase and on the bid documents can lead to fewer unforeseen costs and an increase in all patient safety. 

Objectives

1. Identify the importance of leadership-directed communication that values infection prevention input during all phases of construction including design, pre-construction, and construction.
2. Explain how blueprints and digital blueprint tools can help mitigate risk during construction.
3. Describe how the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) can provide a proactive approach to the design phase.