First certified prostate cancer centre in Lower Austria

^{From left to right: Julia Fluch, BA, Medical Data Expert, Kristina Wallerer, MA, Deputy Centre Coordinator, Nicole Karall, MA, Centre Coordinator, Ulrike Marian, Ward Manager, Senior Physician Dr Marlene Felsner, Bakk techn., Dr Hanjo Belz, Auditor, Senior Physician Priv. Doz. Dr. Sonia Vallet, Deputy Centre Director, Prim. Clin. Assoc. Prof. Priv. Doz. Dr. Petra Georg, MBA, OA Dr. Ahmed Magdy Abdel Aal, FEBU, OA Dr. Christoph Resl, OA Priv. Doz. DDr.}

^{Bernhard Grubmüller (Centre Director) – immediately after the successful certification of the Prostate Cancer Centre}

"With its clinical departments of urology, oncology and radiation therapy/radio-oncology, the University Hospital Krems offers a comprehensive range of therapies at a single location. Thanks to additional services such as palliative medicine, dietetics, psycho-oncology, social services and physiotherapy directly at the hospital, we can offer comprehensive and optimal care for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer," emphasises Ludwig Schleritzko, Regional Minister responsible for state and university hospitals.
‘In line with our mission statement, we accompany patients in our certified prostate cancer centre from referral through the entire course of treatment to aftercare,’ explains senior physician Bernhard Grubmüller, head of the Prostate Cancer Centre at Krems University Hospital. After more than four years of project work, the audit to verify that all the required criteria had been met was successfully completed in October 2024. These criteria apply to all centres across all federal states and range from the review of processes and procedures to the verification of various key figures on medical outcomes and the implementation of management guidelines for the clinical departments of urology, internal medicine 2/oncology and radiation therapy/radiooncology. The goal is clear: to continuously improve the quality of cancer treatment for patients.
Particular attention was also paid to interdisciplinary cooperation between all treatment partners. In the course of the certification process, numerous measures to improve the overall process for the benefit of our patients were identified and implemented based on surveys of registered doctors and patients. The auditor was particularly impressed by the high level of commitment evident in the field of research in the form of studies, which brings great added value to patients in terms of new therapy options, medications and treatment methods. The audit also highlighted the high level of personal commitment of those involved in the certification process. "The last few years have been characterised by a continuous improvement process. Numerous measures implemented and direct exchange with our treatment partners have not only brought us step by step towards certification, but have also had a significant impact on our working methods and processes. This in turn benefits all our patients," explains Deputy Centre Director Sonia Vallet, Senior Physician.
The University Hospital Krems is pursuing the expansion of its oncology centres as part of its strategy. The successful certification as a prostate cancer centre is therefore another major milestone for the hospital, following its certification as a lung cancer centre in 2022. The successful certification of both centres was celebrated in a festive ceremony.