title: [Certification of vascular centers. Influence on quality and healthcare structures].
abstract: Diagnosis and therapy of vascular diseases are increasingly being performed following a multimodal, interdisciplinary and less invasive approach. The introduction of specialized, organ-related centers is a logical consequence in view of a better treatment quality and a more effective use of resources. The German societies of radiology, vascular surgery and angiology jointly developed a process of certification, which has been successfully applied to more than 100 units in Germany. In this article the terms and results of the process are described and possible effects on the quality and structures of the healthcare system are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, GefässCentrum Hamburg, Asklepios-Klinik Harburg, Eißendorfer Pferdeweg 52, 21075, Hamburg, Deutschland. w.gross-fengels@asklepios.com
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gross-Fengels
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heuser
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vorwerk
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Helmberger
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification / Q000592:standards*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005858:Germany; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008006:Licensure, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D015642:Radiology, Interventional / Q000592:standards*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000592:standards*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*