Sustainability in everyday hospital life
Sustainability aspects are relevant at many points in the daily operations of our Helios and Quirónsalud hospitals. Click through the graphic to find out more.
Digital transformation
Digital transformation
To ensure the best possible preparation for reception and treatment in our hospitals, we are pursuing many digitalization initiatives and focusing on expanding our IT infrastructure and digital services. These include our patient portal for booking appointments and the electronic patient file. However, the use of AI-supported technologies is also part of the digitalization of our hospitals.
Further information on Helios Further information on Quirónsalud Highlight story: AI in colorectal cancer screeningSustainability in food supply
Sustainability in food supply
In our cafeterias, we are consistently switching to reusable tableware. At Helios, we charge an environmental fee for disposable tableware in order to reduce the amount of waste we produce. In our cafeterias, our collaboration with PlanetV enables us to offer vegan meals to our employees and guests at our German clinics on a daily basis. At our Spanish hospitals, surplus food can be purchased at a reduced price and thus saved.
Further information on Helios Further information on Quirónsalud Highlight story: Sustainable cateringEmergency department
Emergency department
Like almost every hospital, we use a triage system in the emergency department: all patients are classified at the entrance according to an established procedure depending on their symptoms and the severity of their illness. This is carried out by a nurse trained in triage, supported by medical staff.
Highlight story: Relieving the pressure in the EDHygiene
Hygiene
In order to avoid infections within our clinics, it is essential to strictly adhere to hygiene standards. To this end, we have specific instructions for numerous diagnostic, nursing and therapeutic processes in our hospitals and health centers. Our employees receive regular training on hygiene standards from local hospital hygienists and hygiene specialists.
Further information on Helios Further information on QuirónsaludGreenhouse gases in the operating room
Greenhouse gases in the operating room
Anaesthetic gases used in the operating room are usually released into the outside air via the exhaust air system - where they have a more harmful effect on the climate than CO2. Anesthetic gases cause up to 35% of all greenhouse gas emissions in a hospital. The recycling of anaesthetic gas is therefore a major lever in environmental and climate protection. We also largely dispense with very climate-damaging gases and reduce their use during surgery.
Further information on Helios Further information on QuirónsaludRobots in the operating room
Robots in the operating room
The DaVinci robot enables to perform computer-assisted, gentle surgery on areas that require an extremely precise procedure. During a minimally invasive procedure with the robot, the doctors sit in front of a console and see instruments and the surgical field enlarged in three dimensions on the screen directly in front of them. They control the robot's arms, which are much more flexible than human hands. All movements are transferred to the instrument arms with millimeter precision in real time.
Further information on QuirónsaludWaste management
Waste management
Hospitals produce large quantities of waste every day. This volume of waste poses a major challenge for waste management because the variety of waste types requires different disposal methods, especially hazardous waste. An effective waste management strategy is crucial to ensure that waste is disposed of in a safe and environmentally sound manner in order to protect the health of employees, patients, and the environment.
Further information on Helios Further information on QuirónsaludMedical quality
Medical quality
We want to offer our patients excellent quality care at all times. To this end, we have established effective management systems for medical quality and patient safety at Helios and Quirónsalud, which help us to continuously improve our services.
Further information on Helios Further information on QuirónsaludDiversity as an opportunity
Diversity as an opportunity
We are committed to diversity and an appreciative working environment for all employees. We are committed to a climate of mutual respect and trust. We see diversity as an opportunity - in our workforce and in public. We have launched a comprehensive program for the long-term and positive integration of international nursing staff.
Further information on Helios Further information on QuirónsaludClimate target
Climate target
We want to become climate neutral by 2040. This applies to direct and indirect CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and 2). We will achieve this through comprehensive energy efficiency measures, the purchase of green electricity and increasing the proportion of self-supply, for example through photovoltaics.
Further information on Helios Further information on Quirónsalud Highlight story: Climate change and health Highlight story: Redesign of green spaces in HildesheimEnergy management
Energy management
The international standard ISO 50001 sets out requirements for introducing, implementing and continuously developing energy management within a company. In Germany, all clinics and in Spain a significant proportion have already been successfully certified in accordance with ISO 50001. The clinics' own energy teams support the implementation.
Highlight story: Project DOMENutrition & health
Nutrition & health
A wholesome diet plays an important role in the care and recovery of our patients. At our clinics in Germany we focus on a balanced, low-meat, increasingly plant-based diet with a growing proportion of ingredients from organic and regional cultivation.
Highlight story: Sustainable cateringOur employees
Our employees
356 days a year, our employees ensure that our patients receive competent and attentive care. That is why we do everything we can to offer our employees a workplace that they can identify with and that motivates them to develop both individually and as part of a team. This is why we focus on respectful cooperation on an equal footing, attractive working conditions, and comprehensive further training opportunities at all career levels.
Further information on Helios Further information on QuirónsaludConservation of resources
Conservation of resources
Small measures can also have a big impact in the area of administration: For example, we reduce our resource consumption by using duplex printing, i.e. double-sided printing, on all multifunctional devices, by automatically switching off PCs and monitors that are not in use and by introducing recycled paper – in the printer or in bathroom areas.
Further information on Helios Further information on QuirónsaludDoing the right thing
Doing the right thing
As an operator of hospitals and medical centers, we want to live up to our social responsibility. That is why we promote a strong compliance culture that enables employees, partners, and suppliers to act ethically and legally at all times: From compliance with legal requirements and transparent cooperation as a business partner to the protection of human rights along our supply chain.
Further information on Helios Further information on Quirónsalud