Zertifizierungsverfahren in der Onkologie

In the German health care system, a large number of different certification processes are available. It has to be assumed that the motivation for all of these processes is not only quality oriented, but that other elements, such as having defining power or participating in the certification market, may also have an impact. The more certificates on the market, the harder it is for policyholders to maintain an overview, and the higher the costs for the health care units involved. These again have to be financed by the policyholders. In addition to the four internationally accepted general certificates – from the EFQM and the ISO, the group of certificates developed by the medical profession and peer review – an increasing number of specific certificates for oncology departments are available in Germany. The main objective of a health care unit is to create confidence in its health care quality by showing a certificate to patients and policyholders. However, this objective can only be achieved when the certificate is trustworthy. Consequently, and in agreement with the International Society for Quality in Health Care, certification processes must have their own quality management and must make their quality transparent to the public.