Editorial 2019

In 2019, ANQ celebrated its 10th anniversary. In the middle of the anniversary year, there was amendment of the legal regulations on which ANQ’s future activities will need to be based. This represents a challenge, but one that also offers new opportunities!

In mid-June, Parliament approved the revised Swiss Health Insurance Act (KVG). Since then, there has been considerable turbulence within the Swiss healthcare sector, particularly in view of the provisions of Article 58 of the KVG. It now impacts on all stakeholders, including ANQ. It is important to assume a decisive role within the new structure of quality development and promotion.

Therefore in the year under review, the management and personnel have been intensively analysing what has been achieved so far and the effects of the new circumstances to ensure that ANQ has the best possible strategic and operational basis in the new environment.

Thanks to the excellent work of the last ten years, the recognition of this achievement by the partners and the tireless efforts of all those involved, ANQ is now regarded as a core partner when it comes to the implementation of national quality reviews in Switzerland. For a long time now, the association’s management has been aware that the environment, as well as the demands placed on ANQ were likely to change. With this in mind, in 2019, ANQ undertook a multi-level survey of its main stakeholders. The findings from this should make it possible to adapt the contents of the review specifications to the stipulations of new Article 58 of the KVG.

ANQ has excellent prospects for the future. This is because the amended KVG has enshrined in law national quality agreements, and this is precisely where the association is taking a pioneering role. In retrospect, it is apparent that the first, and so far only, national quality agreement dating to 2011, which made standardised quality reviews in hospitals and clinics possible for the first time nationwide, proved highly effective.

Another unique and valuable asset is ANQ’s experience in introducing, implementing and developing its review concept. Its track record is remarkable while it has already gained a wealth of expertise – ANQ currently publishes the results of 15 quality indicators per hospital and clinic on a regular basis. This enables fair quality comparisons between institutions and provides a detailed basis for improvement measures, which will be mandatory for all hospitals and clinics under the regulations of the new KVG.

ANQ is not only an association in which all the important actors are represented; it also offers a pool of unique expert knowledge to draw from. In its specialist committees, more than a hundred experts exchange their views on complex topics relating to quality and work together to find viable solutions.

ANQ can and will continue to contribute to improving the quality of our healthcare system. Our thanks go to all who have accompanied and supported us so far. We look forward to having them on board for the future too.

Dr. Petra Busch, Managing Director
Thomas Straubhaar, President