Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) rose to prominence by securing the Infection Control Initiative of the Year title – Malaysia at the prestigious Healthcare Asia Awards 2026. They achieved this through a project christened ‘Small Change, Big Impact: Redefining Infection Control Through Strategic PPE Holder Installation’. The main objective of this initiative was to ameliorate the accessibility and organization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) within crucial, high-risk clinical zones.
A particular focus was granted to Accident & Emergency Department (A&E) and isolation rooms at SMCV. An infection control audit executed in 2024 demonstrated numerous opportunities for enhancing PPE storage and its accessibility. Fine-tuning these provisions can contribute to the minimization of potential environmental exposure, augment accessibility during emergency situations, and maintain clear, unobstructed corridors during periods of multiple isolation cases.
The resultant improvements also boosted the efficiency of donning processes and strengthened conformity to infection control protocols. The hospital implemented specialized PPE holders, positioned tactically at points of care. Each holder was designed with semi-enclosed compartments to mitigate contamination risks, a first-in-first-out dispensing mechanism to preserve stock integrity, and unambiguous visual cues to aid timely restocking.
Modular components facilitated the installation in diverse clinical spaces, including A&E zones and ward isolation areas. This thoughtful design allowed the ingenious synchronization of PPE storage with routine clinical workflows so healthcare workers could locate and access equipment more efficiently during time-sensitive situations. The initial rollout took place in isolation rooms and the Red and Yellow Zones of the A&E Department.
Subsequent post-implementation surveys revealed that over 80% of staff found PPE access easier after the installation, with an equal percentage considering the holders strategically placed and beneficial for maintaining PPE cleanliness. Workspace feedback showed around 60% of respondents rating the reorganized environment as efficient or very efficient. Further observations from the staff underscored 90% noticed a substantial reduction in clutter and improvement in the organization of clinical work areas.
Following the pilot phase, the installations expanded to other high-risk areas, including ICU negative pressure isolation rooms, nursery isolation rooms, inpatient wards, endoscopy and dialysis departments, as well as the positive pressure isolation room in the medical ward. This marked a significant milestone for SMCV as it endeavors to enhance its infection control standards consistently. The focus remains on fostering continuous improvements to ensure safer clinical environments, enforcing best practices, and delivering superior patient care.