The economic crisis has considerably intensified the relationship between what is ethically desirable and financially possible. This is clearly demonstrated by the numerous events devoted to the subject of “Financial Crisis and Health Policy” in the scope of the 12th European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG). Around 600 participants in the areas of politics, health administration, medicine,…
Cardiology centres worldwide experience an almost exponential rise in the number of in-hospital follow-ups of patients with implantable devices or heart failure (HF).This not only strains the available personnel resources, it also means a rapidly increasing cost to healthcare payers, especially in fee-for-service reimbursement situations.
The Leapfrog Group is a U.S. organisation of member companies that pay for healthcare services, e.g. corporations, health insurers and local, state and federal government agencies. Established in 2000, its philosophy is that big 'leaps' in healthcare safety, quality and value to patients will be recognised and rewarded. The organisation mobilises purchasing power of its members, representing over…
Training healthcare personnel is not cheap; losing these human resources to other countries can prove even more costly. Where and why are nurses on the move?
Among Germany´s 2,087 hospitals, the country´s 32 university hospitals, employing 180,000 to care for up to two million patients, may appear to play a marginal role. However, their triad of research, education and applied medicine endow the university hospitals with enormous significance, for they not only represent medical science and research but also educate the nation's future physicians.…
Dr Jonathan Fielden, Chairman of the Consultants Committee of the British Medical Association (BMA), has called for private management consultants to be "ditched" from the UK's National Health Service (NHS).
Reform of the French healthcare system was placed on a fast track for legislative approval that turned into a six-month marathon of debate punctuated by several street demonstrations. John Brosky reports
Healthcare in Germany will suffer if doctors and nurses cannot delegate certain tasks to others. So warned Udo Janssen MD MBA, speaking at the recent Gesundheitsnetzwerker (health network) congress held in Berlin. Blaming the inflexibility of new labour models that make them difficult to implement, Dr Janssen believes they need to be reviewed.
German health insurance funds do not use their customer data sufficiently, according to a study by consultancy agency Kienbaum, which also found that health insurers do not `cultivate a client-oriented culture´. (Clients = the medically insured).
The so-called 2 in 1 educational model is an interesting innovation in nurse training; it aims at an efficient synthesis of theory and practice. Following a course of seven semesters, participants achieve the academic baccalaureate qualification, as well as a licence (in the form of a diploma) to practice in general healthcare.
64% of medical professionals are subjected to threats, coercion and insults. 34.4% have suffered threats and coercion on at least one occasion and 23.8% on numerous occasions. Similarly, 36.6% have been subjected to insults on at least one occasion.
Surgery generates between 25-40% of hospital revenues, and along with surgeons, specialist nurses are vital to the success of operating theatres. It is thus alarming to find that a survey of 600 theatre nurses has revealed that almost 50% of them would not choose the same profession again.
The new Clinic of the University Hospital Eppendorf (UKE) in Hamburg, Germany, which opened on 2 February, is part of a "master plan" to transform the UKE into one of the most up-to-date and efficient hospitals in Europe.
Without developments in computers and information technology, medicine and radiology would not be what they are today. Data processing to an extent that a human being would never be able to manage, and transmission systems that make diagnoses independent of place and person, have made the computer one of the modern radiologist's most important allies. But which one of them is the boss? This…
Key success factors for hospital management
USA - Employment turnover is low and morale high. The level of response to patients call buttons is high - but, if not, patients can tell the hospital CEO. This is a formula that turns an ordinary community hospital into a star-rated healthcare establishment: the patients are happy with what they receive.
From Switzerland, Dr André Weissen reports that there are no consistent hospital guidelines regarding patients' faiths. 'There are neither any directives nor binding rules as to how a hospital is to treat Muslim patients, for example. Nevertheless, everybody everywhere is trying their utmost to accommodate their specific needs.'
Migrant medicine as a course for German medical students? This is a unique concept in a country where it is currently only being offered at the Justus Liebig University in Giessen.
Anna Köck, Dipl. Rel-Päd (FH), Catholic Hospital Pastor at Graz University Hospital, Head of the Centre for Graz Hospital Staff and Head of the Christians and Muslims in the Hospital symposium, discusses the legal position of Islam in Austria and examines the question of cooperation or conflict between Christians and Muslims in the hospital.
Our correspondent Rostislav Kuklik (above) reports that the physician-to-patient relationship is always very specific when it comes to different cultures or ethnics. 'Worldwide, local doctors who care for patients from other than a major cultural background must be prepared to handle difficult situations, and solve truly unexpected issues.'
Which are the key success factors for the hospital Management? What are the latest trends in Information Technology? And which strategy is successful in financing medical equipment? Visit the Hospital Management Symposium and find out!
Participation in the Hospital Manager Symposium, which is organized by EUROPEAN HOSPITAL in cooperation with the European Congress of Radiology and which is part of the congress, has increased continuously since its introduction six years ago. Last year about 250 attendees listened to the lectures and discussions.
Healthcare delivery is undergoing a profound transformation. To compete effectively, healthcare executives are charged with improving both the financial performance and medical outcomes of their delivery systems. In response to this, Harvard Business School Executive Education is offering two healthcare programs; Leading High-Performance Healthcare Organizations and Managing Healthcare Delivery.
A cooperation agreement as part of the Asklepios Future Hospital programme seals practice-related advancement of the Siemens hospital information system i.s.h.med. The companies sealed their cooperation by signing an agreement within the "Asklepios Future Hospital (AFH)" programme on Thursday at Medica.