Digital Transformation Support

Driven by the German Hospital Future Act (“Krankenhauszukunftsgesetz” – KHZG), a multidimensional transformation process was initiated at the University Hospital Cologne. The projects are being integrated into the overall program Together. Digital. Healthy. – The Digital Campus of the University Hospital Cologne. Since the beginning of 2021, UNITY has provided support in designing and applying for funding, and it supports the 15 projects up to system implementation. This includes, for example, the introduction of a comprehensive patient portal, a telemedicine portal, and the digitalization of outpatient clinics. The goal of the projects is to continue digitalizing the University Hospital in order to reduce the workload of its employees and to further improve the quality and safety of treatment for patients.

In comprehensive, interdisciplinary workshops with more than 60 stakeholders – including physicians, nursing staff, administrative staff, IT and other hospital employees – the necessary processes and requirements were recorded for the digitalization projects. UNITY also provides support in the tendering and awarding of the projects. In the next step, the projects will be implemented. Due to the size and multidimensional nature of the overall program, a combined communications and change concept is of key importance. This includes, for example, the development and communication of a digital target picture based on the mission statement of the University Hospital Cologne. In addition, a project video was developed on the “Vision of the Patient Portal,” and regular intranet posts were published regarding relevant results and milestones.