UPMC Received Patient Safety Innovation Award

The health system was honored for a tool that tracks and halts the transmission of infections in hospitals.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Life Sciences

Isometric editorial illustration showing a glass vial with a crystalline lattice, representing medical infection detection systems. — UPMC was awarded the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for its system that uses genomic sequencing to track hospital infections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should hospitals prioritize investment in advanced genomic surveillance technology to improve patient safety?

UPMC earned the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award for its Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission. This initiative helps medical teams identify and stop the spread of infections.

Why it matters

The system utilizes genomic sequencing to pinpoint transmission paths, allowing clinicians to intervene quickly and contain outbreaks before they expand. This recognition serves as a catalyst for infection preventionists to gain necessary support and funding for similar safety programs.

The system functions by analyzing samples from patient infections to identify genetically related pathogens. It integrates whole-genome sequencing into infection-prevention investigations to map transmission routes.

The players

UPMC

This is a large, integrated health system based in Pittsburgh that operates hospitals and research facilities.

The Joint Commission

This organization is a national body that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations to improve patient safety.

National Quality Forum

This non-profit organization works to improve the quality of American healthcare through measurement and standards.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

This academic institution partners with clinical systems to drive medical research and innovations.

The details

Developed in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, the tool enables teams to connect clinical data with genomic evidence. By detecting emerging outbreaks early, the system provides a structured approach to implementing infection-control measures.

November 2021: UPMC launched the detection system at UPMC Presbyterian.
October 1, 2026: UPMC received the John M. Eisenberg Award at the UNIFY 2026 event.

The Big Picture

The award aligns with the legacy of the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award in recognizing advancements that improve clinical outcomes. This recognition confirms the shift toward data-driven infection prevention protocols in modern hospital settings.

This technology potentially leads to safer hospital stays by reducing the risk of acquiring healthcare-associated infections. Future expansion of these tools could standardize how health systems across the country detect and respond to pathogen transmission.

The takeaway

Integrating genomic sequencing into daily clinical workflows can transform how hospitals manage patient safety. Health systems that adopt data-centric approaches to infection control are better positioned to protect patients from emerging risks.