The University Hospital Reina Sofía of Córdoba has taken a new step in «its commitment to sustainability, safety, and efficiency» by obtaining two important international certifications: ISO 9001:2015 for quality management in infrastructure and ISO 13485:2016 in the scope of the application of electromedical health products.
As reported by the Andalusian Government in a note, these recognitions «reflect years of continuous effort by the hospital teams, who work diligently to provide services that meet the highest international standards.»
For example, ISO 9001:2015 certification supports quality in the management of key areas such as construction projects and works, facility maintenance, technical assistance, and electromedicine equipment.
This means that, according to the Director of General Services, José Luis Gómez, «any work, improvement, or maintenance performed in the hospital, from installing a new air conditioning system to updating the operating rooms, follows clear and precise protocols.»
On the other hand, ISO 13485:2016, focused on the quality of health products, ensures that over 10,000 electromedical devices used in the hospital, such as vital sign monitors, PET scanners, defibrillators, or accelerators, strictly comply with safety standards and operational standards. This results in «a safer environment, both for patients and healthcare professionals, ensuring that medical devices are in perfect condition and reliable at all times.»
In the infrastructure field, ISO 5001:2018 demonstrates that the hospital has an adequate energy management system. In fact, it currently holds an «A» energy rating in all its facilities.
Quality Commitment
These achievements add to a track record covering areas such as environmental management, food safety, and occupational hazards in this hospital. For instance, the ISO 14001:2015 certification, obtained in 2007, ensures that the hospital understands and controls its environmental impact and manages waste and resources responsibly, reducing its environmental footprint.
From efficient energy use to proper hazardous waste separation and treatment, these measures not only benefit the environment but also contribute to the sustainability of the healthcare system.
In the hospitality field, the hospital holds ISO 9001:2015, endorsing the quality of essential services such as food, hospital linens, and comfort for patients and families.
Additionally, the menus served to patients not only meet strict food safety standards (approved by ISO 22000:2016) but are also designed to cater to their specific nutritional needs, aiding in recovery and improvement. Furthermore, the hospital’s laundry and disinfection processes ensure that both bedsheets and uniforms pose no risks.
The hospital was also recognized for its anti-smoking efforts, achieving the gold level in the global tobacco services network in 2018. This recognition highlights initiatives such as creating smoke-free spaces and awareness campaigns for patients and employees, among other actions.
As stated by the head of General Services, «these certifications are not just quality seals but a reflection of the collective commitment of the human team to provide a safe and efficient environment for our patients.»
«They are also a result of the comprehensive strategy for continuous improvement of services, to meet the needs of clinical services, patients, and society in general, and to introduce, to the best of our capabilities, innovative and sustainable elements, ensuring ongoing updates through continuous training of our team and constant analysis and evaluation to implement improvements that allow us to maintain quality standards,» he concluded.