Designing for Infection Control: How Medical Real Estate Must Evolve

By Frank Ricci

Principal, Healthcare Realty & Development Services, LLC

The COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted a long-standing vulnerability in healthcare facilities: a lack of design strategies to effectively mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. Today, even as the crisis wanes, infection control remains a top priority in healthcare real estate planning, construction, and operations.

From waiting areas to exam rooms, the built environment plays a major role in preventing the spread of illness. Whether you're designing a new facility or renovating an existing one, here are practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance safety for your patients, staff, and visitors.

How Infections Spread—and What That Means for Your Space

Pathogens are primarily transmitted in three ways:

1. Contact transmission: Touching contaminated surfaces or individuals

2. Large droplets: From coughing, sneezing, or speaking—falling onto people or surfaces

3. Airborne transmission: Smaller particles carried through the air, often via HVAC systems

A proactive facility design can reduce all three routes of transmission by incorporating physical, operational, and mechanical safeguards.

Check-In, Check-Out & Payments: Go Touchless

Minimize physical contact by digitizing routine tasks:

• Online check-in and checkout

• Mobile payment processing

• Electronic forms and waivers

These reduce exposure to shared clipboards, pens, cash, and cards—simple but effective ways to protect staff and patients alike.

Waiting Areas: Distance and Defend

Gone are the days of crowded waiting rooms. Infection-resistant design includes:

• Spaced-out seating and reduced capacity

• Multiple sub-waiting areas throughout the clinic

• Plexiglass barriers at reception

• Temperature checks and health screenings at entry

• Separate intake paths for symptomatic patients when feasible

Avoid shared items like magazines and toys, and instead focus on cleanable, hard-surface materials throughout the space.

Surfaces & Materials: Think Cleanability

Surfaces should be easy to disinfect, nonporous, and minimal in number:

• Flooring: Use seamless LVT or sheet vinyl

• Walls & Ceilings: Hard, scrub-resistant finishes

• Countertops: Antimicrobial or copper-infused materials

• Door hardware: Consider copper or motion-activated systems

Bonus: High ceilings and natural sunlight improve airflow and reduce pathogen load in the air.

Exam & Procedure Rooms: Designed for Control

Infection control begins with layout. Best practices include:

• Handwashing sinks near the entrance—deep enough to prevent splash

• Separate HVAC zones with HEPA filtration and increased air exchanges

• Supplies within arm’s reach to reduce movement and cross-contamination

• Dedicated clean zones for staff and equipment

• Minimal horizontal surfaces to reduce viral reservoirs

Visual privacy and shielding from corridor air drafts also protect patients during procedures.

Restrooms & Hygiene Amenities

Hands-free is the new standard:

• Motion-activated toilets, faucets, and lights

• Paper towel dispensers (preferable over air dryers)

• Single-use toilet rooms with antimicrobial finishes

• Touch-free waste disposal and hand sanitizer stations throughout the building

These features not only reduce risk but also reassure visitors and patients that hygiene is taken seriously.

The Growing Role of Telehealth

Telehealth remains a critical solution in reducing in-person visits—especially for vulnerable or infectious patients. Benefits include:

• Flexible consult areas using modular partitions

• Multi-station virtual rooms in minimal space

• Extended service reach into rural and underserved areas

Integrating telehealth capability into your facility design opens new revenue streams while reducing exposure risk.

Final Thought: Prevention Is an Investment

Infection control isn't just about responding to the last crisis—it’s about future-proofing your practice. Facilities equipped with proper ventilation, cleanable surfaces, thoughtful patient flow, and smart technology are not only safer—they’re more efficient, reputable, and financially resilient.

About the Author

Frank Ricci is a licensed real estate broker and building contractor with over 35 years of experience. As principal of Healthcare Realty & Development Services, LLC, he leads projects across Florida focused on creating evidence-based, infection-resistant medical spaces.

Let's Talk About Your Next Facility

Whether you're building from the ground up or rethinking your existing space, we can help you implement infection control best practices that meet today’s standards—and tomorrow’s challenges.

📞 Call Frank at 407-947-5074 📩 Or Contact Us Online