Value-based healthcare
Since 1992, we have been in regular contact with past patients to find out about the quality of treatment outcomes. Our questions focus on quality aspects that matter most to our patients – quality of life, specifically the cure rate, continence and potency. The results of these surveys have helped us to continuously improve our surgical treatments.
Patient wellbeing and medical success are our top priorities. Despite our outstanding treatment outcomes, here at the Martini-Klinik, we are constantly striving to improve even further. This is why we operate a differentiated quality management system that not only enables us to monitor the results of our treatments but also plays a vital role in professional development for all our staff. Part of this system is precisely collecting data on our patients’ treatment outcomes. Our quality management system is certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and supervised by an interdisciplinary QM team. Anke Renter and Dr Imke Thederan are the contacts for this team.
Surgical techniques developed at the Martini-Klinik
Precise dissection and preservation of the urethral sphincter have helped considerably more patients to retain their continence. In addition, the NeuroSAFE technique has enabled surgeons to spare the nerves responsible for erectile function, thereby preserving potency in many more patients. We can also refer to long-term data on treatment outcomes to inform and advise new patients on the likely oncological progression of their disease and the outcomes they can expect in terms of continence and potency.
Data-based quality control
In addition to supporting research, the data we collect is also vital for our in-house quality control processes. In general, a consultant performing surgery will not learn what happened to their patients through the years, as their usual doctor will oversee their post-surgical care. Here at the Martini-Klinik, our consultants use the data we collect to monitor and compare their treatment outcomes in terms of our patients’ potency and continence. This means we can intervene to correct even minor abnormalities. The same surgeon oversees the follow-up procedures to ensure that every last detail is perfected. And, if a new method achieves a more positive result, we train other surgeons in its application and it becomes standard practice. This exacting but highly effective approach, which aims to maximise patients’ wellbeing, is not standard practice anywhere else around the world.
Quality standards far beyond the norm
The Martini-Klinik is oriented towards guidelines issued by nationally and internationally recognised specialist associations. We actively contribute to efforts to refine such guidelines. Our clinic’s management team sets specific quality targets, formulated in a way that allows us to examine whether we have met them and to what degree. The Martini-Klinik is committed to providing optimal, comprehensive patient care based on the latest insights, combined with research and teaching in the field of prostate carcinoma. Patient safety is a top priority throughout the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). One example of this is our digital patient records, which are part of a seamless documentation system that enables us to centrally examine and prescribe medications while eliminating the risk of mix-ups.
