Official Portal University Malaya Medical Centre

Introduction

VISION

To promote patient safety by reducing the risk of acquiring and transmitting hospital-acquired infections and to be recognized as an infection control centre of international stature

MISSION

To facilitate more rapid and effective intervention in the prevention and control of nosocomial infections
To educate and increase the awareness of healthcare workers of the burden of healthcare-associated infections on the healthcare system
To train and educate healthcare workers on meeting the challenges of healthcare-associated infections through infection prevention interventions
To educate the public on healthcare-associated infections and steps of prevention

BACKGROUND

In the early 1970s, hospital infection activities were the responsibility of the Infection Control Unit in the Department of Medical Microbiology. Staff then comprised a Medical Microbiologist, a registered nurse and a Medical Laboratory Technologist.

To cope with increasing problems with nosocomial infections, a nursing sister was assigned to the Unit for several years (1987-1990).This was followed by the appointment of three Infection Control Nurses (ICN) in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

Eventually, the Infection Control Department (ICD) was formed on 3rd April 2000, under the directive of the Hospital Director and Chairman of the Infection Control Committee, PPUM, Prof. Dato'''' Dr. Anuar Zaini Mohd Zain. The ICD was created specifically to enable more rapid and effective actions to be taken in the prevention and control of nosocomial infections.

Currently, the ICD works closely with the Microbiology Diagnostic Laboratory and Infectious Diseases Physicians.

Services

DEPARTMENTAL FUNCTIONS

Perform comprehensive surveillance for healthcare-associated infections and maintain an effective nosocomial infection surveillance system
Identify, investigate and advise on outbreaks of infection
Create evidence-based interventions to prevent healthcare-associated infections
Formulate and reinforce guidelines and infection control policies to reduce the risk of nosocomial infections
Develop and maintain educational programs regarding infection control for all healthcare workers, students and patients
Provide unit-based consultation in the assessment and management of patients and employees with communicable diseases
Conduct evaluation and research for quality improvement in infection control
Evaluate methods and technologies to reduce transmission of pathogens within the hospital
Ensure that the practice of infection control precautions and safe procedures is appropriately enforced to protect healthcare workers from infections and accidents in accordance with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration Act (OSHA).

ACTIVITIES

Point Prevalence Survey
Surveillance of multidrug resistant organisms
Targeted surveillance of SSI/BSI/VAP
Hand hygiene surveillance
Maintenance of environmental cleanliness
Infection control education and training
Sterility testing
Control of outbreak of infection
Air sampling

Activity

WORLD HAND HYGIENE 2018

World Hand Hygiene Campaign was held on July 6, 2018 in UMMC with the theme of "It’s In Your Hand, Prevent Sepsis in Healthcare". The campaign was meant to raise awareness among the staff on the importance of hand hygiene. Hand hygiene curbs the spreads of antibiotic resistance germs.