In recent weeks, two of the country’s largest contractors have debuted prefabricated module systems to help facilitate the reopening of offices, schools, transit hubs and sports venues. The WorkWell modular system from Turner Construction Co. and the Citizen Care Pod from PCL provide safe settings for health screenings at entrances to buildings and public spaces where infection control is a concern. 

WorkWell from Turner

Developed with design firm LEO A DALY, the WorkWell system can be rapidly deployed with minimal need for onsite construction, according to Turner. A wide range of organizations, companies and public entities have expressed interest in how the WorkWell system can be integrated into their facilities and support and improve the health screening process, according to Brian Knowles, industrial executive at Turner.

Equipped with medical devices and specialized air handling systems, the WorkWell units allow employers and facilities managers to efficiently screen large groups of entrants for signs of infectious disease including coronavirus and seasonal flu. Prices start at around $200,000 including installation, Knowles said, adding that the final price depends on options and features chosen by the client and the extent of site adaption work required at the facility.

The units are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing facilities, according to Daniel Yudchitz, senior design architect with LEO A DALY. 

“This is the first point of contact that an employee, student, event attendee or traveler has as they enter a facility," he said. "It’s important for that health screening be a pleasant and welcoming experience."

They are available across North America, with a delivery time via truck of between seven and nine weeks. The system comes in two options, a workplace option that can handle about 27 people per minute and a high-traffic option that can screen up to 40 people per minute, Knowles said.

Citizen Care Pod from PCL

​The Citizen Care Pod from PCL is a retrofitted 20-foot- or 40-foot-long shipping container that is equipped with four to 10 testing stations that's designed to physically and safely separate front-line testing administrators from patients. The unit features a set of intelligent technology and design features, including Job Site Insights, PCL’s smart construction platform, which monitors climate conditions such as temperature, pressure and humidity and has the ability to provide notification if thresholds are exceeded. the company claims. 

Technology will also enable caregivers to monitor wait times and crowd sizing via a single, intelligent dashboard to support smarter, safer staffing and supplies.

The Citizen Care module has applications beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, including the option to add capabilities for testing and screening for flu season and viral outbreaks and delivering vaccines, and it can be further augmented to address future public health needs, according to a press statement.

​The Citizen Care unit can be customized to include additional features including:

• ​Exterior cameras and speakers to measure distance between people and send audio reminders if safe distancing is not maintained.

• Artificial intelligence-enabled cameras to alert healthcare workers when proper face protection requirements are not being met.

• Security cameras with local or remote visual display and cameras inside the Pod to monitor and send alerts when the unit has reached capacity.

• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors into hand sanitizing stations to help promote usage and compliance with hygiene policies, with a notification when sanitizer needs to be replenished.