[Quality management systems are compulsory: clinics have the choice. Comparison of the systems DIN EN ISO 9000 ff, KTQ and EFQM].

According to §§135-137 SGB V (German Civil Code), German hospitals are required to introduce and develop an institutional quality management (QM) system. They are, however, currently not obliged to undergo a certification. The prime responsibility to introduce a QM system lies with the top management. The aim is to continuously monitor and improve the quality of the processes and practices in the hospital. QM systems are one of the major constituents which influence the prosperity of an enterprise. Hospitals are able to improve the quality of their processes without significantly increasing the costs. The Excellence Barometer® Health Care (ExBa) of the Fraunhofer Institute has shown that deficits are usually not identified in the professional competence of the medical personnel but rather in respect to leadership abilities, communication and motivation. The introduction of QM in a hospital requires an in-depth familiarity with the various QM systems to select an appropriate model for the own institution. The systems most commonly in use in German hospitals are DIN EN ISO ff, EFQM and KTQ®. The article illustrates and compares the layout, requirements and assessment criteria of the various systems.