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[KTQ--a project on hospital accreditation]
F W Kolkmann1, H D Scheinert, C Schoppe
1Landesärztekammer Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart.
Zeitschrift Fur Arztliche Fortbildung Und Qualitatssicherung
|November 21, 2000
Summary
The Cooperation for Transparency and Quality in Hospitals (KTQ) is a voluntary hospital accreditation initiative in Germany. It involves self and external assessments, with results published in quality reports to enhance healthcare transparency.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Quality Improvement in Hospitals
- Health Services Research
Context:
- Joint project involving major German healthcare stakeholders: German Hospital Federation (DKG), Substitute Sickness Funds Associations (VdAK/AEV), German Medical Association (BAK), German Nursing Care Council (DPR), and pro-Cum Cert.
- Financially supported by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) since September 1998.
- Currently in an experimental phase with voluntary participation for hospitals.
Purpose:
- To establish a standardized accreditation process for hospitals focused on transparency and quality.
- To implement a system requiring regular self and external assessments based on a unified criteria catalogue.
- To mandate the publication of quality reports by accredited hospitals.
Summary:
- The KTQ accreditation process involves a comprehensive self-assessment followed by an external evaluation.
- Hospitals participating in the KTQ initiative must regularly repeat the accreditation process.
- Accredited institutions are required to publicly share their performance through detailed quality reports.
Impact:
- Pilot testing involving 25 hospitals commenced in May 2000, with scientific evaluation by IMI, Tübingen.
- The KTQ project is slated for routine implementation in 2001, aiming to standardize and improve hospital quality.
- Expected to enhance patient trust and inform healthcare decision-making through transparent quality metrics.