Stichting Egidius Zorgconcepten
Partly based on examples from abroad (but also on variations in practice in our own country!), we know that there is room for improvement in healthcare for patients with prostate cancer. This improvement is not only possible in the healthcare outcomes – such as complications and side effects – but also in the way in which the healthcare is organised and the improvement cycle is set up. This is why ‘Stichting Egidius Zorgconcepten’ was founded at the end of 2017. This foundation’s working committee consists of professionals and directors, who together determine the ambitions and quality standards. Healthcare providers within regional networks for prostate cancer care can participate in the foundation and commit to the quality standard that Egidius has set and to Egidius’ working method. This working method is based on short-cycle quality evaluation, whereby the participants gather quality information with each other, discuss this information and set up an improvement cycle. Agreements are made at substantive level in relation to transmural healthcare pathways, cooperation within the networks, innovation and, finally, specialisation and concentration. Egidius makes the connection between the regional networks and in doing so facilitates supra-regional cooperation and the continuing improvement of healthcare for patients with prostate cancer overarching the regional networks.
As of this year (2018), healthcare providers can join the foundation. Egidius assesses in advance whether the basic conditions are satisfied and afterwards whether the affiliated healthcare providers satisfy the requirements that the foundation stipulates for the organisation and quality of healthcare for patients with prostate cancer and informs CZ about this. If the healthcare providers satisfy the requirements, they are facilitated as much as possible by CZ, for instance by being given the room to grow (for radical prostatectomy, for instance).
The ultimate goal is to improve healthcare for patients with prostate cancer. These patients are entitled to the best healthcare and must know where to find it. Through our ‘Zorgvinden’ service, we guide our insured to the centres affiliated with Egidius.