With the support of EU funding, the University of Krakow Hospital opened its new state-of-the-art location, which is equipped with the latest technology. Shortly after its official inauguration in October 2019, the hospital became Southern Poland’s main medical centre for treating COVID-19 patients.
Better equipment for University of Krakow Hospital improves patient care
- 11 April 2020
"This huge project, of key importance to all inhabitants of Małopolska, has been implemented largely thanks to EU funds. We have allocated a record amount of European Funds in Małopolska to equip and purchase the latest generation of medical equipment."
Now the largest hospital in Poland, the centre provides inpatient and outpatient care to the nearly 3.4 million people living in the Małopolskie region. It is also a leading teaching hospital and a centre of excellence in medical research.
Improving patient care and efficiency
Prior to the project, the University of Krakow Hospital’s facilities were spread across over 20 different locations. The new hospital consolidates all these branches into a single point-of-care facility. The hospital includes 43 wards, 51 specialist clinics, and nine facilities. It has a 1 345-bed capacity (in addition to 225-day use spots) and currently employs over 4 000 people.
This consolidation, which allowed for the implementation of improved workflows and automated systems, has already improved the quality of care. Furthermore, by eliminating the duplication of services, the hospital has reduced its operational costs too.
Consolidating all its labs and research equipment into a single site has improved the efficiency of the hospital’s research – a move that proved essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility also serves as a clinical base for scientific research being conducted by Jagiellonian University - Collegium Medicum.
The latest in medical technology
With the support of EU funding, the hospital was able to get the latest in medical technology. In total, over 8 580 pieces of equipment were provided for most of its services and departments, including outpatient clinics, angiography, pharmacy, blood bank, operating theatres and the dissecting pathology ward.
This cutting-edge equipment has already proved essential for treating cancer, cardiovascular diseases, nervous system disorders and non-traumatic emergencies.
The hospital recently used the equipment to conduct unique procedures: an adult bone marrow transplant, oncological liver surgery, and a range of minimally invasive cancer surgeries.
The hospital’s breast unit was accredited by the Senologic International Society, and the hospital itself has been admitted as a member of two European Reference Networks for rare diseases.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Equipping the new headquarters of the Krakow-Prokocim University Hospital” is EUR 63 847 683, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 53 791 266 through the “Małopolskie Voivodeship” Regional Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “increase in access to public services through information and communication technologies”.