RS Persahabatan wins for infection control initiative at Healthcare Asia Awards 2026

The organisation implemented standardised operational definitions and EMR-based monitoring.

RS Persahabatan received the Infection Control Initiative of the Year - Indonesia at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026 for reforming its healthcare-associated infection surveillance framework across ventilator-associated pneumonia, central line-associated bloodstream infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and surgical site infection.

Prior to 2023, healthcare-associated infections were rarely identified due to gaps in standardised definitions and structured surveillance. The Infection Prevention and Control Committee initiated a hospital-wide reform to address these gaps and strengthen infection monitoring as part of patient safety and quality improvement efforts.

The reform centred on three components: revised operational definitions, digital integration, and structured preventive action. Operational definitions were updated in accordance with the 2024 criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to align case identification with international clinical standards. Surveillance then transitioned from paper-based documentation to a digital system embedded within the hospital’s Electronic Medical Records platform. Each infection category was assigned to a dedicated Infection Prevention Control Nurse responsible for data entry, validation, and reporting. Monthly multidisciplinary committee meetings reviewed findings and determined follow-up actions.

Surveillance findings were translated into clinical interventions. These included standardised oral care protocols for ventilated patients, bilateral blood culture sampling during central line insertion, sterile draping compliance during urinary catheter placement, continuous staff education, and routine monitoring activities. Data collected through the digital system supported case discussions, root cause analysis, and corrective measures within clinical units.

Following implementation in 2024, the hospital documented average incidence rates of 5.02% for ventilator-associated pneumonia, 0.86% for catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 1.86% for central line-associated bloodstream infection, 0.09% for clean surgical site infection, and 0.37% for contaminated surgical site infection. In 2025, reported rates were 3.58% for ventilator-associated pneumonia, 1.45% for catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 1.48% for central line-associated bloodstream infection, and 0.34%, 0.80%, and 0.20% for clean, clean-contaminated, and dirty Surgical Site Infection procedures, respectively.

Digital reporting improved the timeliness and accuracy of documentation without additional operational costs. The system allows periodic updates to operational definitions and indicators in response to regulatory and clinical developments, supporting sustained infection surveillance within routine hospital operations.

Healthcare Asia Awards is an awards programme focused on acknowledging exceptional hospitals across Asia that redefine the standards of excellence in the healthcare industry. It proudly shines a spotlight on Asian hospitals that consistently go beyond conventional boundaries to provide top-tier patient care and have a lasting impact on their local communities.

The Healthcare Asia Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your organisation's remarkable initiatives and contributions to the healthcare industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].