Highlights and numbers
Kaunas clinics in 2023. provided the largest number of outpatient services per year so far – almost 1.5 million (1,465,063). Day inpatient services increased, extended outpatient consultations more than doubled (from almost 213 thousand in 2022 to 514 thousand last year). The number of people visiting emergency departments, both children and adults, increased.
Approached to 100 thousand. of hospitalizations in Kaunas clinics and their branches – hospital inpatient units in 2023. treated 97,096 patients, which is 6 thousand more patients than in 2022. During the year, more than 77 thousand surgical operations. The number of gamma knife procedures also increased, reaching 738 procedures, mostly for multiple metastases, meningiomas, and acoustic neurinomas.
In 2023, more radiological examinations were performed: 102 thousand. computed tomography (CT) examinations, 20 thousand magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 1,741 positron emission (PET) scans.
Last year, the strategic direction of Kaunas clinics continued to develop – transplantology. A record number of kidney transplants was performed – as many as 56 transplants, one of which was the first kidney transplant performed when the blood groups of the donor and the recipient were different. The number of bone marrow transplants also increased consistently and in 2023. he was aiming for 67.
Kaunas clinics, being a university hospital, continued their mission to increase public knowledge on various health issues. A lot of attention is paid to the topics of patient safety. in 2023 September became Patient Safety Month in Kaunas clinics. September 14 a conference was held to celebrate World Patient Safety Day. During the conference, the importance of patients, their relatives and family members in creating a culture of patient safety in the healthcare system was discussed. The international event was attended by lecturers from Lithuania, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Ireland and Greece. The general director called on the employees of Kaunas clinics to actively register adverse events, which can be analyzed to improve the quality of services.
In order to solve the challenges faced by patients and to improve the quality and availability of services, Kaunas clinics have established three thematic groups of oncology specialists: Breast tumors, Genitourinary tumors, and Head and neck tumors. Thematic groups in oncology will allow a comprehensive look at the patient’s treatment, will unite various profile clinics involved in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients.
In 2023, great attention is devoted to the development of telemedicine services, international cooperation, and new competencies of employees. Last year, the Kulautuva Rehabilitation Hospital received the international accreditation of the Preventive Cardiology Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the Anesthesiology Clinic was rated as a center of excellence meeting the highest standards – this rating is the only one in the Baltic and Nordic region. R. Jurkevičius.
Kaunas clinics in 2023. In the spring, the medical part of the important international military exercise “Ile Wolf 23-1” organized by the Lithuanian Army took place. During the exercise, the hospital tested coordinated cooperation with the Lithuanian Army and the Military Medical Service, as well as assessed its internal processes and preparations for possible threats. “A lot of attention was paid to this preparation not only last year. Resistance to threats is one of the hospital’s priority activities for the next five years,” added prof. R. Jurkevičius.
Financial result
in 2023 the total income of Kaunas clinics exceeded the previous financial indicators and reached as much as 328.6 million. euros. In the last five years, Kaunas clinics implemented projects worth 103 million. euros. “However, the most important thing is the value that these projects create for the hospital, patients and our community”, – mentioned the CEO prof. R. Jurkevičius.
More than 7,500 employees work in Kaunas clinics, including 1,166 doctors and 2,391 nursing specialists. 560 employees have a scientific degree. “Kaunas Clinics remains the second largest employer in Lithuania, and the number of employees with academic degrees is almost solid for a university hospital,” emphasized the head of the hospital. in 2023 wages continued to increase for employees of Kaunas clinics. Last year, wages increased by 11.4 percent on average. In five years, the wages of employees per full-time employee increased by 61.9 percent on average. According to last year’s data, the average salary of a doctor in Kaunas clinics was EUR 4,742, and that of a nurse was EUR 2,683. The administration of Kaunas Clinics aims to increase the wages of hospital employees every year.
Due to the positive financial result of Kaunas clinics, at the end of the year, 75% of all employees were paid. bonuses in the amount of employees’ monthly wages for hard and meaningful work.
in 2023 three important infrastructure projects of Kaunas clinics have been completed: the construction of the Nuclear Medicine Research Center has been completed, where the cyclotron will start operating this year – a strategic facility of the Lithuanian medical sector, the new building of the Children’s Rehabilitation Clinic and the Biobank (Center for Human Biological Resources).
Strengthening the psychological and emotional well-being of employees
In 2023, more than one initiative improving the psychological safety, emotional health and psychosocial environment of employees was implemented. In cooperation with the Public Health Office of the Kaunas City Municipality, open-type lectures and practical sessions “Towards Psychological Well-being” were held. Employees of Kaunas clinics participated in open-type lectures, closed practical sessions, and mutual help groups to improve emotional health. Conditions have also been created to receive individual free psychological consultations, supervisions, and training on the prevention of psychological violence. Psychosocial assessment was conducted in twenty (20) units.
Last year, the administration of Kaunas clinics signed a large-scale Collective Agreement with the joint representation of trade unions. The Collective Agreement of this scope was signed for the first time, and its purpose is to improve the working conditions of all employees and jointly achieve the hospital’s strategic goals.
in 2023 much attention was paid to employees’ soft competencies, modern management and personnel management principles. in 2023 Kaunas clinics have implemented the 5P Communication standard, which ensures clear, respectful and simple communication with both patients and colleagues.
Continuing in 2018 launched the Managers’ training initiative, two more Managers’ trainings were organized on the topics “Organizational culture: how to create and foster it” and “Quality management and new strategy of Kaunas clinics”. The recent trainings involved the community of Kaunas clinic managers in refining the strategic directions of the hospital’s activities and preparing the strategy project.
In September, diplomas were awarded to the first 16 graduates of the Leadership Academy, a unique 1.5-year Kaunas clinic project focused on the future generation of leaders.
An initiative for new employees of Kaunas clinics started – Induction Day. During the event that takes place every month, new employees are introduced to the people of Kaunas clinics, the organizational structure, operating principles, employee safety, informal activities and other relevant information.
On the occasion of the Medical Workers’ Day last year, the elections of Meritorious Medical Workers of Kaunas clinics took place for the first time. The hospital community proposed and selected deserving employees for five nominations, and the winners were announced during a formal ceremony and celebratory event.
For the second year in a row, the Thanksgiving Day, which received a lot of attention from employees, received even more community involvement. During the week, employees of Kaunas clinics wrote more than 2100 thanks for their collegial work, community spirit and helping each other. During the thanksgiving event, the community of Kaunas clinics gathered to hear the names of colleagues who received the most thanks and to chat informally over a cup of hot tea.
Last year in Kaunas clinics, a fund for the improvement of the qualifications of specialists in non-medical departments was established. 1 thousand is allocated for upgrading the qualifications of one employee. euros over a period of five years. This gives employees the opportunity to participate in international trainings, conferences or events abroad. In 2019, funds for the improvement of the qualifications of Doctors and Nurses were established, with the funds of which hospital doctors raise their competences in international qualification events.
Basic resuscitation courses for non-medical staff of Kaunas clinics have been started. During the first event, 150 employees were trained, who were given knowledge by colleagues from medical departments.
A look into the future
In 2023, the implementation of the five-year strategy was completed, and at the end of the year, the 2024-2028 operational strategy of Kaunas Clinics was prepared, the focus of which is the path of progress leading to innovations, individualized patient needs, and a focused, satisfied working community of employees. The new strategy will continue the work started and offer new initiatives that will help to successfully implement the mission of Kaunas Clinics – to improve the health and quality of life of Lithuanian residents, to educate ambitious and constantly improving health care specialists, and to create and implement research-based innovations.
in 2024 will continue to work to ensure the highest quality healthcare services for patients, the most comfortable and safe working conditions for hospital employees, favorable conditions for innovation and progress, and an unbroken commitment to leadership. The number of outpatient and inpatient services and the availability of these services will continue to be increased by streamlining all available infrastructure. Especially at those specialists who have the longest waiting lines.
In order to implement the most advanced personnel management practices, Kaunas clinics will develop employee service on a “one-stop shop” basis, and documentation will continue to be digitized. Special attention will be paid to the implementation of the Human Resources and Violence and Harassment Prevention policies of Kaunas clinics, which help to form a favorable, inclusive and communal organizational culture where every employee feels safe, valued and heard.
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