Internal quality management
The decision to implement a comprehensive quality management (QM) system is based not only on legal requirements but also on the ongoing developments within the healthcare sector. Over a relatively short period, rehabilitation clinics and acute care hospitals have evolved from publicly administered healthcare institutions into competitive service providers. Increasing financial constraints have led to growing demands for greater efficiency (cost-effectiveness) and effectiveness (achievement of defined objectives). As a result, analyses of both economic performance and quality have become increasingly important.
When selecting an appropriate quality management system, METTNAU chose to implement the rehabilitation-specific Quality Management System QMS-Reha®. It was particularly important for us to adopt a system specifically tailored to the requirements of medical rehabilitation. QMS-Reha® was developed exclusively for this purpose.
Working with this quality management system enables us to organize our structures, responsibilities, and processes, define them clearly, and make them transparent both internally and externally. For us, quality management is far more than a technical tool—it is a corporate philosophy that guides all areas of our organization.
Our strengths and successful strategies are continuously expanded, while communication and cooperation throughout the organization are further strengthened to maximize synergies. By optimizing processes and making targeted use of human and financial resources, we aim to ensure long-term economic stability and job security. Above all, through continuous improvement in every area, we strive to meet the expectations, needs, and wishes of our guests and patients while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
The mandatory framework for our quality management activities is the QMS-Reha® quality management system developed by the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund). METTNAU first received certification from TÜV Süd in May 2009. This certification ensures that patient care is provided at a consistently high level of quality in accordance with recognized standards that are regularly audited by independent certification bodies.
Key Features of QMS-Reha®
- Specifically developed for medical rehabilitation
- Process-oriented approach with a focus on rehabilitation-specific core processes
- Clearly defined management responsibility and accountability
- Qualified and certified Quality Managers
- Active involvement of employees and employee representatives
- Support for the elements of external quality assurance
- Handbook-based system aligned with other recognized quality management models
Since February 2010, QMS-Reha® has also been officially recognized by the German Federal Rehabilitation Council (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Rehabilitation – BAR). This recognition ensures that the certification complies with the latest legal and regulatory requirements.
Quality Assurance
For many years, the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) has implemented a range of quality assurance (QA) instruments and procedures with the primary objective of continuously improving the quality of medical rehabilitation.
All rehabilitation facilities operated by the German Pension Insurance, as well as rehabilitation clinics and specialist rehabilitation departments commissioned by the German Pension Insurance (approximately 950 facilities), participate in these rehabilitation quality assurance programmes. Naturally, this also includes the Medical Rehabilitation Facilities of the City of Radolfzell (METTNAU).
The legal basis for these activities is Section 20 of Book IX of the German Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch IX – SGB IX), which requires comparative quality measures as an essential component of an effective quality management system.
