It is estimated that 60,000 deaths are caused every year by avoidable medical mistakes in German hospitals. This is why, at the end of 2020, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) will institute for the first time in Germany a Master's degree in patient safety. In Europe, TUM is the second university after Imperial College London, to offer such a course. In addition to the "Klinikum rechts der Isar" hospital in Munich, the Fatebenefratelli hospital in Straubing will also participate in the project on the strength of the exemplary patient safety measures implemented and practised in the hospital.

KNOW-HOW FROM THE USA

In the holding company that controls the hospitals of the Bavarian Province, the anaesthesiologist Dr. Robert van Arkel has long been exclusively dedicated to the issue of patient safety, according to the Managing Director of the holding company, Mr. Christian Kuhl. During this time, Dr. van Arkel had taken part in several seminars in the United States. "A pilot project on patient safety is under way at Straubing Hospital and will then be gradually implemented in other hospitals belonging to the holding company," according to the Straubing Hospital General Manager, Dr. Christoph. Scheu.

For many years, Straubing Hospital has been regularly running simulation courses in critical areas, patient identification safety training courses, drawing up checklists according to the latest findings in the operating room, endoscopy and laboratory cardiac catheters, as well as training courses for all the staff in safe communications. The hospital intends to make its extensive experience with designing the new course of study available to others.

In view of the great need for fresh research in the field of patient safety, Dr Angelika Werner, head of the staff unit for quality and risk management at the TUM's Klinikum rechts der Isar hospital, thanked the policy makers for their support. The Master's degree course will last for two years and will begin with a group of 25 students. The course is suitable not only for doctors, but also for managers of clinical functional areas, managers and other stakeholders in the health care system as well as teachers. The course is not only for candidates holding a Bachelor's degree, but also for non-academic practitioners: This certified ad hoc course --  a course module – will train the participants as patient safety officers.

STRONG PARTNERS

"Funding for the new Master's programme has already been appropriated," announced the Bavarian Science Minister Bernd Sibler. "Now we just need the project." With this new Master's degree, TUM wants to enhance its commitment to Straubing as a science hub, focusing on biotechnology and sustainability, especially in the medical field. The mayor of Straubing, Markus Pannermayr, praised the Fatebenefratelli hospital as an efficient institution which is developing well thanks to its forward-looking projects. With the Technical University of Munich, the hospital has a strong partner by its side.