Patient and Product Safety

The safety of our patients is our top priority. That is why we go beyond legal requirements. Risks may arise in our medical services, for example, due to hygiene deficiencies or disruptions in operations that may result from natural disasters or technical failure.

We counter these risks through structured processes, training and quality management systems, among other things, and work to continuously improve patient and product safety. The transparent provision of information to the public is also part of our safety and quality standards.

We have established sophisticated processes that are geared to the safety of our patients and efficient workflows. In quality management, we focus on monitoring, guiding and further improving these processes with the help of key performance indicators. Each business unit aligns its quality management individually to its business model and sets corresponding priorities. Our quality management systems meet or are based on various standards. Internationally applicable standards such as ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) are particularly important for our production sites. In our clinics and healthcare facilities, we measure the quality of patient care using various indicators.

Improving dialysis products

Fresenius Medical Care is continuously working to improve its products, whether in the areas of safety and quality of patient care, product performance, or customer service. In addition, Fresenius Medical Care focuses on product innovation. To provide access to the latest technologies, the business segment invests in research and development and works with external partners such as scientific institutions. Fresenius Medical Care also invests in start-ups that develop products, technologies and treatments in the healthcare sector.

Hygiene management in hospitals

The aim of hygiene management at Fresenius Helios is to prevent infections in the hospital. The focus is on monitoring infections and pathogens as well as ensuring sufficient staffing of hygiene specialists and medical personnel. In addition, antibiotic consumption (available in German only) is strictly monitored and selected physicians are trained as antibiotic stewardship (ABS) specialists. All employees at Helios Germany receive regular training on hygiene regulations, which are binding for all Helios hospitals.  

Helios is the only German hospital operator to present semi-anually the pathogen figures in its hospitals online in the so-called HygieneEinBlick (available in German only): A separate graph for each hospital shows – over the past three years – how often the most important pathogens have occurred.

Hygiene management in rehabilitation and care

Protecting patients from infectious diseases during their stay in rehabilitation clinics and care facilities is a key objective for Fresenius Vamed. Newly established health care facilities follow systematic guidelines from day one to prevent infections from breaking out or spreading. Compliance with hygiene regulations is strictly monitored in the facilities.

In Germany, Fresenius Vamed's hygiene standards are based on the recommendations of the KRINKO (Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention) of the RKI (Robert Koch-Institut). They take into account all legal requirements for hygiene.