According to recent data, the operating room­–a place where patients are often the most vulnerable to infection–is one of the most challenging rooms of the hospital to keep clean.

Since Jan. 1, eight hospitals and health systems announced, began construction on or unveiled facility expansions and renovations with price tags of $1 billion or more.

Gastonia, N.C.-based CaroMont Health's plan to build its second hospital in the Charlotte area has advanced, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health plans to invest $209.5 million in a series of new construction projects, according to Dakota News Now.

Minneapolis-based Abbott Northwestern Hospital plans to spend $199 million to build a central utilities plant and parking garage, according to The Star Tribune.

Seven hospitals or health systems announced, started, advanced or completed construction projects in the last week:

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is planning to build a new 22-story patient tower, which is one way the children's hospital plans to expand, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Cleveland Clinic plans to double the number of patients it sees in the next five years, to 4 million. One of the ways it will expand its presence and access to patients is through new construction projects. 

After years of legal back-and-forth, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare is moving forward with plans to build a $150 million medical center in Fort Mill, S.C., according to The Post and Courier.

Phoenix-based Valleywise Health broke ground this week on its $900 million medical center in Phoenix, according to AZ Big Media. 

Hersey, Pa.-based Penn State Health has received final approval to build a 129-bed, five-story hospital in Lancaster County, the system announced this week.

UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif., plans to invest $1.9 billion in expansion and renovation projects over the next 10 years, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.

The Medical University of South Carolina opened its $389 million children's hospital to patients Feb. 22, according to the Post and Courier.

Miami-based Jackson Health System will unveil its new rehabilitation hospital in March, which will include a $400,000 cat sculpture that has a functional purpose, according to the Miami Herald.

Six hospitals or health systems announced, started, advanced or completed construction projects in the last week:

UHS Wilson Medical Center in Binghamton, N.Y., plans to start a $132 million modernization project, according to local news station WICZ.

Media, Pa.-based Riddle Hospital's $327 million upgrade and expansion project received the green light from the Middle Township board and its parent organization Main Line Health, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.

College Station-based Texas A&M University plans to build a $550 million complex in the Texas Medical Center, a sprawling Houston hub of healthcare institutions, according to The Houston Chronicle.

Two major California health systems, Kaiser Permanente and Scripps Health, are eyeing expansions in San Marcos, Calif., according to The San Diego Union Tribune.

Construction of a $147 million patient tower at Rogers-based Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas has been completed, according to Healthcare Construction and Operations News.