15.12.16

Nicolai Döllner (left), chief-in-editor at "Dagens Medicin", awarded the "Denmark's best hospital"-prize to Claus Thomsen (middle), Chief Medical Officer at Aarhus University Hospital and Gert Sørensen (right), Chief Executive Officer at Aarhus University Hospital (photo: Michael Harder, Aarhus University Hospital).

For the ninth year running, Aarhus University Hospital has been appointed Denmark’s best hospital by the independent specialist newspaper on healthcare sector news ”Dagens Medicin”.

In 2016, Aarhus University Hospital has been faced with budget cuts, hospital construction work and many other challenges. Nevertheless, the hospital is today appointed Denmark’s best hospital by the independent specialist newspaper on healthcare sector news ”Dagens Medicin”.

For the ninth year running Aarhus University Hospital is Denmark’s best hospital. The hospital has won the category for university hospitals, consisting of the largest hospitals in Denmark. Aarhus University Hospital won this category, Odense University Hospital came in second, Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen is number three and Aalborg University Hospital is number four.

Quality of treatment is most important
Aarhus University Hospital is number one in 13 of the 68 treatments and examinations which have been part of the competition. Moreover, the hospital has received a number of second and third places.

”Dagens Medicin” has analysed all accessible national data on quality of treatment at Danish hospitals. Part of the data is from a national study on patient experiences and from an analysis of reputation. Almost 2,500 doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have evaluated the hospitals they know of.

The quality of treatment has been the most important and decisive factor for appointing Denmark’s best hospital. This part is weighted with 80% while patient satisfation and reputation are weighted with 10% each.

Best in 13 treatments
Aarhus University Hospital came in as number one in the following 13 treatment areas:

• Cervical cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Acute leukemia (cancer of the blood)
• Myelodysplastic syndrome (a group of diseases in the bone marrow which may develop into cancer of the blood)
• PCI treatment (balloon angioplasty of the coronary arteries)
• Cancer of the liver and biliary system
• Pancreatic cancer
• Two areas within cardiothoracic and vascular surgery: Combined bypass and heart valve treatment and lung cancer surgery
• Bladder cancer
• Testicular cancer (both medical and surgical treatment)
• Cancer of the brain

Aarhus University Hospital wins because of the ability to maintain a stable and high level in all treatment areas. Moreover, the hospital has the best reputation.

Winning despite difficult circumstances
Gert Sørensen, Cheif Executive Officer at Aarhus University Hospital is happy about the appointment. Especially in a time where the hospital and most importantly the staff is under pressure because the hospital has had to implement a number of efficiency improvements and budget reductions to make ends meet. At the same time departments are moving into the new hospital buildings.

- The healthcare system is under serious pressure. This applies to Aarhus University Hospital as well. In this light, it is a huge accomplishment and professional effort by our staff that we have managed to be appointed Denmark’s best hospital, says Gert Sørensen.

- We demand quite a lot from our staff. And it is entirely because of the achievements of the staff that it is possible for Aarhus University Hospital to keep focus on our key task – to offer the best treatment despite the difficult circumstances.

Further information:
Gert Sørensen, Chief Executive Officer, Aarhus University Hospital 
Tel.: +45 78 46 23 31, mobile: +45  22 86 32 66, E-mail:gertsoer@rm.dk