[BCM] [NHI] [E1] [C2] Understanding Your Organisation

Chapter 2

Overview of Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)

Established in 1992, Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) — or the National Heart Institute — is Malaysia’s premier cardiovascular and thoracic healthcare centre. Located in Kuala Lumpur, IJN is a specialist institution wholly dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of heart and lung diseases.

As a centre of excellence, IJN serves both local and international patients, offering a comprehensive range of services across adult and paediatric cardiac care, including surgery, intervention, rehabilitation, and research.

IJN’s mission is to deliver excellent, patient-focused heart healthcare services supported by clinical innovation, cutting-edge technology, and world-class expertise. The institute is home to a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and technicians, all working cohesively to provide holistic cardiac care.

Over the years, IJN has gained international recognition for its quality standards and clinical outcomes, becoming a vital national asset in the healthcare sector.

Purpose of Business Continuity Management (BCM)

In alignment with ISO 22301:2019 – Security and resilience – Business continuity management systems – Requirements, the implementation of BCM at IJN ensures the continuity of critical heart care services during unexpected disruptions such as pandemics, cyber threats, infrastructure failures, or natural disasters.

The BCM system safeguards IJN’s ability to serve patients, protect human life, sustain trust, and uphold its reputation as a life-saving healthcare provider.

Understanding the Organisational Context

As mandated by Clause 4 of ISO 22301, understanding the organisation's context is crucial. At IJN, this entails identifying both internal and external factors that influence its ability to achieve the intended outcomes of the Business Continuity Management System (BCMS).

Internal Context

• Organisational Structure: IJN is governed by a Board of Directors and managed by an executive leadership team. Its structure spans various clinical and support departments, including Adult Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Critical Care, Facilities Management, IT Services, and Administration.
• Strategic Direction: IJN’s strategic priorities include clinical excellence, patient safety, research and innovation, sustainable operations, and digital transformation.
• Operational Capabilities: With over 100 cardiologists and specialists, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and dedicated rehabilitation and diagnostic facilities, IJN operates as a 24/7 tertiary referral centre.
• Resources and Assets: These include medical equipment, electronic health record systems, ICU beds, operating theatres, trained personnel, backup generators, and clean water supply systems.
• Culture and Values: IJN promotes a patient-centred care philosophy grounded in compassion, professionalism, integrity, and teamwork.

External Context

• Healthcare Ecosystem: IJN functions under Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and collaborates with other public hospitals, academic institutions, and insurance providers.
• Stakeholders: Key stakeholders include patients and families, government bodies, healthcare regulators, suppliers, donors, insurers, and research partners.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: IJN adheres to the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act, the Medical Device Act, and ISO and MS standards related to clinical operations, safety, and data protection.
• Risks and Opportunities: External risks include disease outbreaks, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical instability, and cyberattacks. Opportunities include medical tourism, regional partnerships, and the adoption of digital health.

Needs and Expectations of Interested Parties

As part of ISO 22301 Clause 4.2, IJN has identified the relevant interested parties and their expectations regarding business continuity. This ensures alignment between stakeholder needs and the objectives of the BCMS.

Determining the Scope of the BCMS

In compliance with Clause 4.3 of ISO 22301, the scope of IJN’s Business Continuity Management System includes all core clinical services (cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, emergency response), supporting services (IT, logistics, biomedical engineering, utilities), and administrative functions at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The scope covers normal and emergency operations, taking into account outsourced services, regulatory requirements, and patient safety considerations.

Business Continuity Objectives

The following are the key business continuity objectives of IJN:

• Ensure uninterrupted provision of critical cardiac services during disruptions.
• Safeguard patient and staff safety during emergencies.
• Maintain data security and integrity of electronic medical records.
• Reduce recovery time for essential services (Recovery Time Objectives).
• Conduct regular drills, tests, and exercises to validate readiness.
• Enhance awareness and training among all levels of staff.

Integration with Organisational Strategy

BCM is integrated into IJN’s strategic management, risk management, and quality improvement frameworks.

Business continuity considerations are embedded in new project planning, clinical innovations, procurement, and infrastructure upgrades to ensure that resilience is part of every strategic decision.

Summing Up...

Understanding the organisation is the cornerstone of a resilient healthcare operation.

For Institut Jantung Negara, this means not only recognising its role as a national centre of cardiac excellence but also proactively addressing the internal and external factors that may impact its mission.

By aligning with ISO 22301 and adopting a structured approach to business continuity, IJN demonstrates its unwavering commitment to saving lives, even amidst disruption.

This foundational understanding enables the development of robust continuity strategies that support patient care, staff readiness, and institutional resilience—hallmarks of a trusted and future-ready healthcare institution.

More Information About Business Continuity Management Courses

To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the BCM-300 Business Continuity Management Implementer [B-3] course and the BCM-5000 Business Continuity Management Expert Implementer [B-5].