The Vienna Healthcare Association (WIGEV) is implementing another targeted measure to reduce waiting times for scheduled operations through a cooperation with PremiQaMed private clinics. Patients on waiting lists for scheduled operations will receive their treatment more quickly thanks to this cooperation. The City of Vienna is funding this model, which has already been used successfully during the COVID pandemic.
More operating theater capacity for scheduled procedures
The hospitals of the Vienna Healthcare Association form the backbone of medical care in the city: every 2.5 minutes, a patient is brought to a WIGEV clinic by an ambulance - that's 90% of all ambulance calls in Vienna during the day, and 96% at night. Around 44% of all operations are performed acutely at WIGEV. This has an impact on waiting times for scheduled operations. To further reduce the resulting waiting times, the Vienna Healthcare Association is now working with PremiQaMed: the private clinics Confraternität and Goldenes Kreuz are now taking on scheduled operations to free up capacity in the public hospitals. "We are implementing a wide range of measures to minimize waiting times for our patients. This cooperation creates additional operating theatre capacity for our patients and thus enables faster treatment," emphasizes Dr. Evelyn Kölldorfer-Leitgeb, Director General of Wiener Gesundheitsverbund.
The collaboration between WIGEV and PremiQaMed already proved its worth during the COVID pandemic: between 2020 and 2022, over 2,400 planned operations from WIGEV clinics were carried out in private hospitals such as PremiQaMed. The new cooperation builds on this and will be flexibly adapted to current demand.
Wide range of operations, smooth process for patients
The cooperation includes plannable interventions from several medical disciplines, including:
- Orthopaedics & trauma surgery (e.g. knee arthroscopies)
- General surgery (hernias, gall bladder and appendix operations)
- ENT (paranasal sinus surgery, nasal septum correction)
- Urology (e.g. vasectomies, testicular biopsies)
- Breast surgery (excluding oncological procedures)
- Varicose veins & skin surgery (e.g. lipomas, atheromas, fibromas)
Patients whose operations are transferred to one of the PremiQaMed private clinics receive comprehensive care. In addition to performing the operations, the private clinics take care of a large part of the organizational process:
- Making appointments and preparing for admission
- Anesthesia release and inpatient stay
- Discharge and documentation
The Vienna Health Association guarantees seamless medical follow-up care:
- Postoperative visits and aftercare by the relevant specialist departments
- Medical availability in the event of complications - transfer to a WIGEV clinic if required
Martin Fuchs, CEO of the PremiQaMed Group: "We see ourselves as part of the healthcare system for the Viennese population and as a reliable partner. The new edition of our successful cooperation with the Vienna Healthcare Association ensures that patients are treated quickly and to the usual high standard." Patients who are eligible to be taken over by the private clinics can also decline this option. Only patients with statutory health insurance in the general fee category are treated; there are no additional costs and no additional administrative work for patients.
Working together for a strong Viennese healthcare system
City Councillor for Health Peter Hacker emphasizes the importance of this measure: "The Vienna Healthcare Association provides over 90% of acute care in our city. However, rising patient numbers, a backlog of operations due to the pandemic and complex procedures are extending waiting times for scheduled operations. This cooperation is a targeted relief for our public healthcare system and a benefit for all Viennese." The measure is financed by the City of Vienna and there are no additional costs for patients. The cooperation with PremiQaMed is open-ended and will be regularly evaluated in order to optimally adapt to demand.
Queries & Contact
Media spokesman City Councillor Peter Hacker
Norbert Schnurrer
Phone: +43 1 4000 81233
Email: norbert.schnurrer@wien.gv.at
Markus Pederiva
Press spokesman Wiener Gesundheitsverbund
Phone: +43 1 40409 60543
Email: markus.pederiva@gesundheitsverbund.at
Barbara Werwendt
Corporate Communications, PremiQaMed Group
Phone +43 1 586 28 40-103
Email: barbara.werwendt@premiqamed.at
