[Certification in the healthcare system. What happens when the certificate is not awarded?]

A quality certification is nowadays an important competitive factor for clinics and other institutions in Germany. The best known procedures are certification according to the norm DIN EN ISO, the German certification procedure in the healthcare system KTQ (Cooperation for Quality and Transparency in Healthcare) and the procedures of the German Cancer Society or medical professional societies. The majority of German clinics, centers, practices and nursing institutions are certified according to one of these procedures. In some areas certification is mandatory and a prerequisite for patient care, e.g. for rehabilitation institutions. But even in the field of acute medicine certification is an important proof that quality requirements have been fulfilled and has an effect on the economic situation. The aim of a visitation or audit is always to check whether the requirements of the appropriate certification procedure have been fulfilled. The actual procedure and the course can however, be organized differently. The failure to obtain certification is a very unpleasant situation for all concerned and can have negative effects on the image of the institution. Such a failure can most probably be avoided by good preparation and if necessary external consultation or internal qualification by colleagues. In most cases the certificate can be successfully obtained at least by the second attempt. Appropriate regulations are made by all procedures. Basically a thorough cost-benefit analysis should be carried out before deciding to apply for certification.