NERS NEWS – Professional Nursing students from the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga (Unair), Group 8, organized a Hospital Health Promotion (PKRS) activity titled “Arrive Healthy, Maintain a Safe Visit.” The interactive session was held at the IRNA 4A Graha Trimed Ward of Universitas Airlangga Hospital (RSUA), Surabaya, on April 9, 2026, aimed at educating patients’ families on the importance of infection prevention within the hospital environment.
The education focused on the implementation of hand hygiene (the 6-step handwashing technique), cough etiquette, the proper use of medical masks, and interaction boundaries within the treatment rooms. The session included discussions on risk mitigation for family members assisting patients without full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the risks associated with the frequent movement of companions in and out of the ward. The student team provided practical guidance, such as the mandatory requirement to wash hands after touching the patient’s bedside area or upon returning from outside, as well as an advisory against eating near the patient’s bed to minimize the risk of cross-infection and nosocomial infections.
Targeting patients’ families and companions, the activity was held directly at the IRNA 4A Graha Trimed Ward on April 9, 2026. The program was successfully conducted under the supervision of academic advisor Herdina Mariyanti, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., Ph.D. and clinical instructor Devi Rahma S, S.Kep., Ns.
While visiting sick family members is a crucial form of moral support, a lack of understanding often leaves families vulnerable to infection or risks them bringing pathogens from outside. Therefore, this activity aimed to enhance public health literacy and build awareness regarding hygiene discipline. These disease prevention efforts serve as a tangible contribution by students toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being.
“Even if family members do not wear full PPE such as hazmat suits or aprons, the primary and most effective protection is the disciplined use of medical masks and adherence to the 6-step handwashing rule,” explained a representative from Group 8 during the Q&A session. The team added, “The family is the primary support system. However, to care for a sick family member, companions must also protect themselves to stay healthy.”
This educational activity is closely linked to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being (Improving health literacy and preventing the transmission of Healthcare-Associated Infections/HAIs).
- SDG 4: Quality Education (Providing education to the public regarding standard health practices).
Through this PKRS activity, it is hoped that the paradigm of patients’ families will shift toward realizing that a hospital is not just a place for treatment, but also a zone requiring high-level hygiene discipline. This event serves as clear evidence of the contribution of UNAIR Professional Nursing students in reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), aligning with the role of educational institutions in achieving SDG targets.
Author: Jasmine Dewi Zindagi/Representative of Group 8 Professional Nursing KMB Unair
Editor: Farah Dina Azizatul Aulia (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
