Four Excellence stars for the Oberwaid
In the latest EFQM assessment in November 2023, the clinic-in-hotel concept of the Oberwaid in St. Gallen was awarded an outstanding four Excellence stars by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).
The EFQM accompanies companies on their path to business excellence. A path that Oberwaid has consistently taken in terms of quality development. Oberwaid was put through its paces by two assessors over the course of two days.
The fact that Oberwaid is able to accept this important and Europe-wide recognized award for quality management is confirmation that the efforts to optimize processes, services and support are taking full effect.
"We are proud of the excellent rating once again and know that we are on the right track to lead Oberwaid into a successful future. Despite the more demanding new model version, we were able to make a big leap forward compared to the last assessment. This confirms that our corporate culture meets the highest quality standards"
says Dr. Doris Straus, CEO & Clinic Director of the Oberwaid.
Living quality culture
The Oberwaid has set itself the goal of creating a place of health culture which, beyond treating illness, invites people to take action for their own health and provides impetus for maintaining health and coping with stress in a healthy way. To ensure this, the Oberwaid lives a culture of quality that is geared towards the highest standards. Quality development is seen as an important management task at the Oberwaid. For this reason, the management implemented the EFQM quality model, which is used throughout Europe, back in 2016 and had the Oberwaid certified for the 3rd time in November 2023. In the assessment, processes, services and results are comprehensively evaluated by external assessors to support their development.
The award not only relates to medical and nursing aspects, but also covers all areas of the company - from hotel operations, personnel development and finance to housekeeping and technical services. Compliance with and active application of the quality standards as well as the continuous improvement of services and processes were reviewed.
Future-oriented services
The assessment was also used as a pilot audit to gain experience for future national quality audits together with H+, the association of public and private Swiss hospitals, clinics and care institutions. In its assessment, the team of assessors particularly emphasized the expansion of employees' skills, quality leadership and the closing of management control loops.
"For us as a team of assessors, it was very impressive to see how excellence is anchored as a culture in all areas of Oberwaid," said assessor Siegfried Schmidt at the presentation of the certificate on
January 8, 2024 as part of the traditional New Year's aperitif.
By receiving this award once again, Oberwaid has consolidated its position as a leading healthcare institution in Eastern Switzerland and underlined its importance as a socially relevant company, also in terms of its attractiveness as an employer.
Media release Oberwaid AG
