The BQS Institute repositions itself

The scientific institute, which was established as early as 2001 as an institution of self-administration with the name "Bundesgeschäftsstelle Qualitätssicherung" (Federal Office for Quality Assurance) and is based in Düsseldorf and located in Hamburg, is probably one of the most renowned institutions in the healthcare sector. In addition to many years of external inpatient quality assurance of German hospitals according to §137a SGB V, studies in the field of health care research as well as a large number of scientific reports for participants in the health care system* on medical and nursing quality, it certainly set standards in the field of scientific registers.

*(starting with the Federal Ministry of Health, various medical societies, participants within the health care industry up to the partners of the self-administration)

However, with the establishment of the Institute for Quality Assurance and Transparency in Health Care (IQTIG) after the passing of the GKV-Financial Structure and Quality Further Development Act (GKV-FQWG), some things were to change for the BQS Institute. Probably the biggest challenge here was the change in ownership. In September of this year, anaQuestra GmbH Switzerland, based in Greppen/Lucerne, and anaQuestra GmbH in Berlin took over the shares in the BQS Institute Düsseldorf and Hamburg. Berlin-based anaQuestra is known for its 360Degree satisfaction surveys, which it uses to support the areas of medicine, quality as well as risk management in a large number of German hospitals and hospital groups.

"It was a fortunate decision to place the BQS Institute's high level of medical, statistical and IT expertise in the hands of an industry expert who not only appreciates the reputation but also intends to continue to put the Institute at the service of the health care system," said Kurt M. Lang, Chairman of anaQuestra Holding and now the new Managing Director of the BQS Institute.

"The BQS Institute is excellently positioned and bears responsibility for the implementation of high-quality medical-scientific assignments, is a pioneer in the field of quality assurance in healthcare and a reliable partner for innovative projects with practical implementation. The BQS Institute has repeatedly proven that it is capable of measuring quality validly, even with large amounts of data, and can thus make a significant contribution to improving care. The scientists have always been able to place a special focus on the patient, in addition to the original care processes and system efficiency, and thus also to meaningfully contribute the political will," Lang continued.

In addition to other offerings in the area of registries, the institute will also show commitment in projects of the Innovation Fund. "We are facing a major challenge. The Innovation Fund offers the health care system a limited window in which to introduce sensible forms of care into standard care via a structured process. The right partner in scientific support will therefore play a crucial role. We must be aware of our responsibility in this process and only get involved where we can demonstrate the best knowledge. Partnerships in the scientific field will therefore also be unavoidable. We are already being approached intensively and are available to any scientific partner for further discussion. Our goal is to have sustainably successful projects," explains Lang.

The institute is currently being restructured very intensively. In addition to regular operations, which were prudently and reliably agreed upon and organizationally secured before the takeover, the institute is in the process of placing its scientific expertise on an even broader footing. In the coming months, the management expects to establish a comprehensive scientific advisory board, which is to be staffed with top-class scientists from Germany and the EU region.

The BQS Institute will also continue to be well positioned in terms of health policy. Thus, a strategic advisory board has already been initiated. Almost all previous shareholders, such as the German Medical Association, the German Hospital Association and the Federal Associations of Statutory Health Insurance Funds, are members and thus continue to be important partners in the further development of meaningful as well as necessary offers for quality and patient safety in Germany. Kurt M. Lang comments: "Especially the continuing trusting partnership with the previous owners has been important to us. Our common themes are based on a shared knowledge and thus also on the will to improve. We want to continue this reliably in the future not only through a symbolic gesture, but also through a lived cooperation."

The BQS Institute is on a growth course and intends to continue to expand its opinion leadership in various fields of medical-scientific procedures.