Higgins and Associates has become a trusted name in environmental, health, and safety consulting for healthcare construction and renovation. Since its establishment in 1996, the company has provided specialized solutions that help healthcare facilities manage risks, ensure compliance, and protect patients during complex projects. With decades of experience and a team of highly skilled professionals, Higgins delivers a standard of care that supports safer and more efficient construction in sensitive environments.
Deep Experience with Healthcare Environments
Healthcare facilities present unique challenges during construction and renovation. Infection control, air quality, hazardous materials, and containment systems must all be managed without disrupting patient care. Higgins brings a team of geologists, environmental engineers, industrial hygienists, and safety professionals who understand these demands. Their work spans hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and specialized medical facilities, providing expertise that aligns with both regulatory requirements and operational realities.
Comprehensive Testing for Safer Outcomes
One of the key strengths of Higgins is its ability to perform detailed testing that identifies risks before they become problems. The firm offers air quality assessments, bioaerosol monitoring, mycotoxin and allergen detection, and chemical air sampling for agents such as formaldehyde, nitrous oxide, and halogenated compounds. Visualization studies, including smoke flow assessments, are used to evaluate containment systems, cleanrooms, isolation spaces, and pharmacy areas. These services provide clarity and help teams make informed decisions about construction practices and protective measures.
Oversight and Guidance During Restoration
Healthcare facilities often face emergencies such as water damage, black water events, or fire incidents that require swift and careful restoration. Higgins provides oversight to ensure these projects are managed with safety and compliance in mind. Their expertise helps mitigate further damage, reduce downtime, and keep restoration processes aligned with health and safety standards.
Infection Control Risk Assessment and Containment
Infection prevention is a critical component of healthcare construction. Higgins specializes in Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) planning and containment design. Their approach ensures that construction activities do not compromise patient care or expose vulnerable populations to airborne hazards. By implementing thorough risk assessments and monitoring containment systems, the company helps create safe pathways for both workers and patients.
Training That Strengthens Healthcare Safety Culture
Beyond consulting, Higgins invests in education. Their training programs, designed for healthcare construction teams, infection preventionists, and project managers, cover everything from containment science to practical on-site procedures. Courses are available in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for diverse teams. These programs not only meet current standards but also equip professionals with the knowledge to anticipate and manage emerging challenges in healthcare environments.
Learn more: https://higginsedu.com/ehs-consulting-for-healthcare
Integration with Broader EHS Services
Higgins does not treat healthcare projects as isolated tasks. They integrate their healthcare consulting with broader environmental, health, and safety services. This includes industrial hygiene consulting, mold and lead assessments, ergonomic reviews, noise monitoring, OSHA readiness planning, and comprehensive safety inspections. By connecting these elements, the company provides a holistic approach to risk management across the entire lifecycle of a project.
Core Values that Drive Quality
Higgins and Associates operates with a set of guiding principles that influence every aspect of their work. Integrity ensures transparency and ethical practice. Quality reflects a commitment to thoroughness and precision in every service. Respect fosters strong relationships with clients, partners, and team members. Innovation encourages the use of modern tools and advanced techniques. Dependability ensures consistent delivery under pressure, and knowledge comes from decades of hands-on experience in healthcare and industrial settings. Together, these values form the foundation of the company’s reputation.
Leadership with a Proven Record
The leadership team at Higgins combines practical experience with a vision for continuous improvement. Chris Higgins, founder and president, brings more than 36 years of expertise in environmental and safety consulting across multiple industries. Kathy Higgins, co-founder and president of EHS Management Solutions, leads the development of digital tools that complement traditional EHS services. Art Gougen, director of Environmental Health and Safety, contributes over 43 years of experience guiding projects with steady and informed leadership. This leadership ensures that every healthcare project benefits from both strategic direction and technical depth.
Why Healthcare Teams Trust Higgins
Healthcare organizations choose Higgins because of their ability to deliver results that matter. Their methods are grounded in science, their communication is clear, and their approach is always collaborative. From risk identification to team training, from restoration oversight to containment design, Higgins ensures every step of a project aligns with safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
Clients gain more than a service provider. They gain a partner committed to helping them navigate regulations, avoid costly delays, and maintain patient care standards during construction and renovation. Higgins offers consistency, reliability, and a focus on long-term outcomes.
Conclusion
Higgins and Associates continues to play a vital role in making healthcare construction safer and more efficient. Their expertise in environmental, health, and safety consulting is built on decades of experience, a highly skilled team, and a deep understanding of the unique needs of medical facilities. With comprehensive testing, targeted training, and strong leadership, they provide the tools and guidance needed to manage risks and protect patients. For healthcare organizations that value safety, compliance, and dependable partnership, Higgins remains a trusted choice.
