Infection Control Department
Overview
The Infection Control Department (ICD) – University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City is a core unit in the quality management and patient safety system, responsible for preventing and controlling healthcare‑associated infections, contributing to reducing infection risk in the hospital environment. Established in September 2006 as the former Department of Infection Prevention, the department has undergone nearly 20 years of development oriented towards process standardization, evidence‑based practice, alignment with international standards, and enhanced use of information technology in professional activities.
Through persistent efforts, the ICD has played a key role in making the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital one of the first six model hospitals for infection control in Vietnam, and the first in the country to receive two international awards in the Asia‑Pacific region: Excellent Hand Hygiene (2017) and Outstanding Sterilization Center (2019). In 2024, the hospital was again recognized with the Excellence Award “Quality Improvement Project – QIP” organized by the Vietnam Infection Control Association in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO); and in 2025, the hospital proudly received the Excellent Hand Hygiene award from the Vietnam Infection Control Society (VNICS).
Strength
Originating from the standard foundation – University Medical - Pharmacy Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, a learning environment that integrates treatment, training, and scientific research. The expertise of the Infection Control Department is always linked to the overall development direction of the hospital and consistently receives the support and partnership of the Board of Directors in its operations.
For monitoring and intervention activities: the department focuses on implementing all professional activities in an integrated manner to optimize all resources. It consistently stays ahead and implements quality improvement solutions, several notable projects highly rated by field units and partners (WHO, CDC, PATH) such as controlling carbapenem‑resistant intestinal bacteria, environmental sanitation according to international standards… Additionally, the use of information technology in hospital infection monitoring and hand hygiene monitoring… is the hospital’s strength.
Hand hygiene monitoring via Camera
Within the professional structure of the Infection Control Department, the Central Sterilization Service Department (CSSD) is a key technical unit, responsible for reprocessing medical instruments and supplying textiles for the entire hospital, continuously supporting clinical activities. CSSD possesses modern equipment such as double‑door disinfecting washers, ultrasonic cleaning machines, high/low temperature sterilizers. Currently, CSSD operations have been fully digitized across the entire instrument‑material management and reprocessing cycle to increase traceability, ensure consistent quality, and reduce errors.
Inspection – Packaging of instruments
Training & Research
The Infection Control Department defines training as a strategic mission to enhance practical competence and create a pipeline of successor personnel for the system. According to the “School – Institute” model, the Department regularly organizes intensive training courses, notably a 3‑month course on Infection Control, a 3‑month course on Disinfection – Sterilization, and CME programs updating knowledge for healthcare staff nationwide.
Students on practical training
Alongside training the practicing workforce, the Department also directly trains and cultivates infection control compliance awareness for students and trainees within the practical environment, contributing to the formation of a safety culture and adherence to standards from the early stages of their careers.
With the motto “Learning goes hand‑in‑hand with practice”, the department’s courses/programs always emphasize a highly practical approach.
Students on practical training
In recent years, the Department has carried out many highly applicable scientific topics in professional fields such as hospital infection, hand hygiene, environmental hygiene, disinfection‑sterilization (controlling errors in inspection‑packaging, safe reuse of single‑use instruments, evaluating the shelf life of sterilization methods).
Cooperation and experience exchange with medical institutions domestically and abroad.
Applying ISO 9001‑2015 standards in professional quality management and operational management of the Infection Control Department. Simultaneously implementing JCI standards step by step.
Cooperating with the Vietnam Infection Control Association, the Ho Chi Minh City Infection Control Council, the Asia‑Pacific Infection Control Association (APSIC), the Infection Control Experts Conference and the European Infection Control Society (APIC)…
Organizing regular advanced specialty and skill workshops with experts from PATH, CDC, APSIC…
Sending personnel to short‑term training courses on infection control (monitoring, intervention, environmental hygiene, CSSD…) in countries with advanced medical systems such as the United States, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines…
Staff
The Department of Infection Control – University Medical - Pharmacy Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City has a multidisciplinary, experienced staff team, including PhDs, Masters, Doctors, Bachelors, Engineers, Nurses… with a solid professional foundation and the ability to collaborate effectively in a high‑tech hospital environment. The department's personnel are regularly trained and developed to update professional knowledge, standardize practical competence, and enhance work skills to meet the demands of continuous quality improvement.
In particular, the Head of Department is a leading expert in Infection Control, playing a role in setting professional strategic direction, leading the implementation of infection control programs according to standards, and promoting a patient safety culture throughout the hospital.