Advantages

From private clinics

All advantages at a glance

Patients' rights (according to KAKuG §5a)

Free choice of doctor: In a private hospital, the doctor of choice can carry out the medical treatment as a so-called attending physician and is also responsible for follow-up checks or further treatment. This means that for the entire duration of the hospital stay, there is only one doctor who is particularly familiar with the patient's clinical picture.
Shorter waiting times: Waiting times for operations are usually shorter in private hospitals, which leads to faster treatment of patients' health problems.
Professional care: The private hospitals attach particular importance to personal care around the clock by highly qualified specialist staff in order to provide patients with the best possible care.
Hotel character: In private clinics, comfortable single or double rooms with extensive facilities are available, offering patients more peace and privacy. When it comes to meals, attention is paid to a balanced diet and adapted to the wishes and needs of patients.
Visiting hours: Visiting times are generally more flexible in private clinics and relatives can usually stay overnight in the patient's room if they wish. Please note the current regulations regarding Covid measures during visits, which are of course also implemented by private clinics.
Length of stay: Minor procedures are often performed on a day-case basis and patients in private clinics can therefore be discharged earlier. Check-ups can also be carried out in the doctor's private practice.
Admission to a private clinic: Most private acute clinics in Austria are organized as affiliated hospitals. This means that patients choose the doctor they trust themselves. They then recommend a private clinic that is best equipped for the planned treatment. Together with the attending physician, patients have the opportunity to use the private clinic's infrastructure. The attending physician is supported by a highly qualified team permanently employed at the respective clinic. The attending physician must be available around the clock and must also appoint a deputy. There is always staff on site to ensure that medical assistance is available at all times (doctor with a diploma in emergency medicine).
If patients are still looking for a suitable doctor for the treatment in question, they can also choose the route via the individual clinics. Many private hospitals have listed the attending physicians working in their hospital on their website.

Inpatient contract (treatment agreement): As part of their inpatient or outpatient stay in a private clinic, patients conclude two separate agreements: a treatment agreement and an accommodation agreement.
The treatment contract stipulates that the attending physician is responsible and liable for all medical measures during the patient's stay at the clinic. This includes the medical treatment and care provided by the attending physician him/herself, third parties consulted under his/her responsibility such as consultants and the staff provided by the hospital. The treatment contract also includes the necessary patient information and documentation, as well as the patient's consent to the proposed treatment and any fee agreements, unless these are covered by insurance. The treatment contract is concluded with the attending physician (in writing or verbally). This applies not only if they are working in the clinic in the course of their self-employment, but also if they are employed by the clinic. The same applies to midwives. The respective clinic considers the treatment contract to exist if the attending physician refers the patient to a clinic. If the patient does not nominate an attending attending physician in advance, the hospital will propose a physician who will subsequently become the attending physician with the patient's consent.

Admission agreement (accommodation contract): Admission to a private clinic is based on an accommodation agreement between the patient and the clinic. This agreement stipulates that the respective clinic is responsible for the accommodation, catering and care of the patient. This includes ensuring that medical assistance is available at the clinic at all times in the event of an emergency, as well as inpatient care at the clinic. This also includes therapeutic services such as physiotherapy. The clinic is also responsible for the quality of accommodation and care. This includes the qualifications of the nursing, therapeutic and other staff employed by the hospital, as well as the hospital's infrastructure and medical equipment.

Come prepared to the private clinic

You will find the most important information about registration and admission to the private clinic on the websites of the member companies.

Patients must consent to medical treatment and they can appoint persons of trust who must be involved in decisions.