One-stop patient care
Interview with Andreas Schlüter, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Knappschaft Kliniken GmbH
"We believe that the best patient care comes from a single source." With these words, Andreas Schlüter, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Knappschaft Kliniken GmbH based in Recklinghausen, describes the philosophy of his company. Knappschaft Kliniken is a unique network of leading hospitals in Germany, distinguished by outstanding medical services and a comprehensive network of specialized facilities. In the following interview, Andreas Schlüter provides insights into the structure, the benefits of the network system, and the future prospects of Knappschaft Kliniken.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Schlüter, can you tell us about your professional background?
Andreas Schlüter: I started my training in 1992 with our sponsor, the German Pension Insurance Knappschaft-Bahn-See (KBS), and held various positions in pension and health insurance as well as in hospital controlling. In 2004, I became the managing director of a small hospital in Lünen, which gave me valuable experience in managing clinics. Through various mergers, I joined Knappschaft Kliniken GmbH in 2016, where I set up the corporate headquarters. Today, I head the conglomerate and am the chairman of the supervisory board in all our hospital companies.
Wirtschaftsforum: What makes Knappschaft Kliniken so special in the German healthcare system?
Andreas Schlüter: The combined system of the KBS, which includes the Knappschaft Kliniken, is unique in Germany. It encompasses not only its own health insurance but also hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and a network of over 1,300 resident doctors. This enables cross-sectoral patient care, which has been designed for over 20 years, and ensures the best medical treatment for patients within this network. The major advantage: high-quality and cost-efficient care.
European Business: How does the current discussion about health care costs affect your strategies?
Andreas Schlüter: The discussion about health costs is crucial. We demonstrate that our model is more efficient. If all sectors work together, duplicate examinations can be avoided and therapies can be better tailored to patients. We have had clinics for over 100 years, and our model has proven to be successful.
European Business: Can you tell us more about the structure of your organization?
Andreas Schlüter: The Knappschaft Kliniken consists of 13 hospitals and 4 outpatient center companies in 7 hospital holding companies, with a total of around 4,870 beds. We care for about 1,000,000 patients annually – both inpatient and outpatient. The KBS combined system includes another 9 rehabilitation clinics. Our structure allows us to efficiently bundle medical and nursing expertise and create synergies.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does digitalization play in your work?
Andreas Schlüter: Digitalization is a key issue for us. We started 15 years ago to fully digitize our documents and processes in clinics, including using 'Medikamentencheck' to digitally adjust drug therapies in our clinics. Considering that people over 80 in Germany are prescribed an average of more than 13 different medications and dangerous interactions can occur after just five medications, a central comparison is indispensable. The digital patient record is another step to ensure that all doctors are informed about a patient's medication. This reduces the risk of misdiagnosis and improves patient care.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are the future plans for the Knappschaft Kliniken?
Andreas Schlüter: We plan to further expand our prevention centers. Our goal is to reach patients before they become seriously ill. We have already established three large prevention centers and want to establish these at all our clinics. We rely on modern technologies such as digital eye scans to identify health risks early on.
Wirtschaftsforum: What experiences have you had with the prevention centers?
Andreas Schlüter: Our prevention centers cater to companies and their staff among others. This is not only valuable for the employees but also for the employers who benefit from healthy employees. Our services are becoming increasingly popular as they help employees recognize, treat, or even prevent health problems early.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you deal with the challenge of motivating people to care for their health?
Andreas Schlüter: We know that many people only become active during health crises. Therefore, we try to make our offerings as attractive and accessible as possible. We offer programs tailored to people's needs and work closely with companies to reach their employees.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does research play in your company?
Andreas Schlüter: Research is a central part of our strategy. Our AI center in Bochum is one of the most innovative in Germany and focuses on personalized medicine. We believe that the future lies in tailoring treatments based on the specific needs of each patient.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you see the development of the German healthcare system in the coming years?
Andreas Schlüter: I believe we will see a shift towards more comprehensive patient care. Hospitals will need to focus more on outpatient and preventive medicine. This will not only reduce costs but also improve people's quality of life.
Wirtschaftsforum: What is your message to potential patients and partners?
Andreas Schlüter: We invite everyone to look at our model. We are convinced that our integrated care can provide added value that is not only efficient but also of high quality. The health of our patients is of utmost importance to us, and we are committed to promoting it in the best possible way.