Designing safer care: Infection prevention and control expertise shapes the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project

Vivian Lapointe has spent her entire career helping patients through some of their most challenging health journeys, from oncology care for individuals with solid tumors or undergoing stem cell transplants. Along the way, she developed a strong passion for patient safety and infection prevention, recognizing the environments in which care happens are just as important as the care itself.

Vivian joined Nova Scotia Health’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, supporting outbreak response, disease surveillance, and staff education. Her expertise soon led her into healthcare redevelopment — a unique opportunity to apply infection control principles to the design and construction of new healthcare spaces, ensuring safety and quality were literally integrated from the ground up.

In 2023, Vivian joined the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project as an infection control specialist, helping ensure the new Acute Care Tower is built with patient safety at the forefront.

“My role touches nearly every aspect of the project — from mechanical systems and furniture selection to the construction process itself,” she explains. “We implement infection control measures during construction, review materials to meet IPAC standards, and work with clinical teams to design standard rooms, isolation spaces and high-risk pathogen rooms.”

Key infection prevention priorities guide the project’s design: evidence-based practices, outbreak preparedness, and reducing healthcare associated infections. The tower will feature single-patient rooms with private bathrooms, privacy screens that can be disinfected easily, and specialized rooms for patients with airborne or high-risk infections. Every design choice reflects IPAC principles to ensure patient safety is included from the start.

Collaboration is central to her work. “We work closely with engineers, architects and clinical planners to ensure infection prevention and control is considered at every step,” she says. “When all partners are aligned, we can create a hospital environment that’s safe, functional and supportive of patient care.”

Looking ahead to 2031, when the new tower opens, her vision is clear: “I hope to see an overall improvement in the patient experience. Even preventing one healthcare-associated infection makes this work meaningful.”

She also hopes to extend her impact on future healthcare projects across the province, offering guidance on infection prevention and control policies and building standards.

“Patient safety should be integral to healthcare design,” she says. “By applying infection control expertise throughout planning and construction, we can create environments that truly support care, recovery and well-being.”

Photo of Vivian Lapointe.