Children represent the future of any nation, making their wellbeing a crucial priority. The development of pediatric medicine reflects a country's commitment to the welfare and prospects of its youth.

In recent years, Sunway Medical Centre, the largest private quaternary hospital in Malaysia, has embarked on an extensive expansion initiative. With the opening of its Children¡¯s Tower in May 2023, it became the first private hospital in the country with a dedicated children¡¯s emergency department and a complete range of children¡¯s care services, significantly enhancing accessibility for pediatric patients in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding areas.

Located in Malaysia's first fully integrated green township, Sunway City, Sunway Medical Centre features 724 licensed beds, over 230 consultation suites, and 18 operating theatres. The Centre is internationally accredited by the Joint Commission International and the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards for its quality in healthcare. In 2024, it achieved a significant milestone by being ranked among the top 250 hospitals globally in Newsweek¡¯s World¡¯s Best Hospitals 2024, marking the first time a Malaysian hospital has made the list from a pool of 2,400 hospitals across 30 countries ^[1].

Dr. Ng Lee Li

General Manager of Women and Children Health, Sunway Medical Centre

To better address the unique needs and growing potential of Women & Children's services, we have established a dedicated team focused solely on this department. This strategic move allows us to tailor our approach and ensure that specialized resources are directed toward enhancing these vital services for our patients, and adopting a more patient-centric approach and family-oriented care.

As a vital component of any children's hospital, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) delivers the highest level of care for young patients. Serving as the final line of defense in saving lives, PICU presenting caregivers with numerous daily challenges.

Children in this environment often experience heightened emotions and unpredictable movements, making it difficult for medical staff to provide consistent and effective interventions. Their conditions can change rapidly, requiring constant monitoring and quick decision-making. Additionally, parents frequently seek a higher level of involvement in their child's care, which can add emotional complexity to the clinical environment. Balancing the medical needs of young patients with the emotional needs of their families demands not only clinical expertise but also compassionate communication and support.

Dr. Anis Siham Binti Zainal Abidin

Paediatrician, Sunway Medical Centre

Working in a Paediatric ICU requires specified and specialised knowledge and skill, especially when you're dealing with not only one ill child, but also taking care of the whole family members.

Farawaty Binti MD Jelan

Manager, Nursing Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Sunway Medical Centre

What we tried to do is to create an opportunity for primary care physicians to utilize devices and equipment that are currently only available in specialty care.

To address the critical challenges faced by healthcare providers in the PICU, Sunway Medical Centre has transformed its operations by utilizing the M-Connect IT Solution and developing an fully connected and integrated patient monitoring solution. By leveraging automated workflows, a connected monitoring platform, and intuitive data insights, the new solution enables more focused, patient-centric, and efficient care.

¡°A good system to create a smart PICU is essential. We aim to have a fully integrated ICU that includes current monitors, heart monitors, infusion pumps, ventilators, and all other equipment connected into one system, allowing us to see patient data objectively and in real time,¡± explains Dr. Anis.

Building on this foundation, the PICU incorporates seamless interconnection between various bedside medical devices and the hospital's electronic medical records (EMR) system. By automating data transfer, the system reduces the time nurses spend on manual paperwork and enhances the accuracy of patient data for critically ill patients.

Real-time monitoring is facilitated through a central monitoring system positioned at the nurses' station, allowing for more systematic departmental management. Additionally, remote monitoring via mobile devices ensures timely and informed decision-making, further improving workflow efficiency and enhancing patient safety.

The department has also implemented a dedicated Pediatric Early Warning Scoring (PEWS) system that facilitates the early identification of patient deterioration. Certified by the Medical Device Authority (MDA) Malaysia for its smart clinical innovation, this system provides a consistent and systematic scoring framework for clinical assessments. It effectively guides practitioners on when to escalate care, thereby reducing the risk of adverse events.

Dr. Anis Siham Binti Zainal Abidin

Paediatrician, Sunway Medical Centre

The paediatric Early Warning Score System is a protocol guided system, which helps monitor patient strictly even though we are out of ICU and in the ward. With this Early Warning Score we¡¯re able to take immediate attention or an immediate action, if there's any issue arise.

Tee May Fung

Senior Staff Registered Nurse II, Sunway Medical Centre

Based on this system, we can see all the alarms, which helps us attend to the patients immediately. This actually helps us further because we can spend more time with the patients.

By leveraging advanced technologies, valuable manpower can be freed up, allowing more devotion and time to be spent to the patients and families. For pediatric patients, that devotion and time become more important.

"Technology is very advanced, but of course, human touch and care remain the number onepriority. I'm happy that, thanks to technology, which helps us streamline multiple steps, weare able to provide the utmost care to our patients," senior nurse Tee May Fung highlights, "The human touch and human care are still essential for us."

Dr. Ng Lee Li

General Manager of Women and Children Health, Sunway Medical Centre

As smart technologies rise, hospitals are shifting to a more integrated, patient-centric care model. Innovations like AI, telemedicine, and IoT enhance our ability to monitor, diagnose, and treat patients effectively. These technologies enable proactive, personalized care, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on direct patient interactions rather than administrative tasks.

Sunway also introduces a special family integration program in the PICU, acknowledging that the daunting environment filled with unfamiliar equipment and beeping alarms can impact the treatment and recovery process. This collaborative approach, recognizing the integral role of family in a child's care, ensures that families not only remain with their children throughout their stay but also actively participate in daily clinical decisions.

The healing environment of the PICU at Sunway Medical Centre beautifully illustrates the synergy between human touch, medical expertise, and advanced technology. In the intricate realm of pediatric care, recovery is not solely reliant on clinical interventions; it is deeply enriched by the support and presence of loved ones.

The bonds that connect us are woven with compassion, innovation, and a shared commitment to care. Together, Mindray and Sunway Medical Centre Children's Hospital are embarking on a transformative journey to redefine what it means to safeguard the wellbeing of pediatric patients, ensuring that every child receives not just medical treatment, but holistic support tailored to their needs.