Study on the potential for cooperation between hospitals
05.11.2009 10:30
Reducing costs by reducing inefficiencies / increasing potential
Does it pay off if the Altenburg district hospital cooperates with the Borna hospital and also specializes?
As a representative of many, Dr. Arne Bjornberg, Project Manager Euro HealthConsumer, the current situation: “Germany has many non-specialized hospitals. Everyone wants to do everything.”
In a recent study by Dr. Wieselhuber & Partner GmbH and Ecorium GmbH are identifying efficiency potential for the first time through cooperation between hospitals in Germany.
The results are broken down into individual regions and indications so that the strategic consequences for an individual hospital or region become visible.
Redistribution potential of €5.9 billion
Dr. Timo Renz, initiator of the study and member of the management team of Dr. Wieselhuber & Partner says: “Based on operation and procedure codes, the so-called OPS data, from 2006, a full survey was carried out for the entire federal territory, in which 1986 hospitals of all levels of care were taken into account. By redistributing 1.4 million cases, a redistribution potential of €5.9 billion could be raised.
“Hospitals without specialization will have less and less chance of surviving on their own”
Renz presents the positive strategic consequences for the individual hospital due to the collaboration with other hospitals and receives encouragement from experts from clinical practice. “Collaborations are the order of the day. Individual hospitals without specialization will have less and less chance of surviving on their own,” says Prof. Dr. R.Schmid, Managing Director of the Reutlingen Clinic. The administrative director of the Paracelsus Clinic Osnabrück, Henrik Räwer, adds: “Structured, professionally organized collaborations will win the competition.”
What should be taken into account during the cooperation process?
Once the cooperation process has started after a critical review, Renz advises the hospitals involved to carry it out transparently with the involvement of everyone involved. In addition, the process should be systematic and professional without loss of face or trust with the respective partner. Not only cooperation potential or goals should be precisely quantified - the implementation schedule must also be defined for all partners.
Advantages for collaborations between hospitals
Renz summarizes the advantages of collaboration between hospitals as follows: “In addition to the clear profile formation and strategic positioning for your own hospital, it is also particularly important to reduce costs by reducing inefficiencies and increasing potential. Furthermore, the position vis-à-vis the health insurance companies is strengthened and the economic stability of the hospital and the provider is strengthened. Ultimately, however, we can also achieve an increase in the quality of care for patients through cooperation between hospitals.”