The AZ Maria Middelares General Hospital, along with St. Vincent General Hospital in Deinze, forms a single non-profit organization that operates multiple sites in Ghent, Deinze, Aalter, and Gentbrugge. This non-profit association also includes a logistics and facilities platform in Nazareth.

AZ Maria Middelares focuses on delivering high-quality, patient-centered care through a collaborative approach with general practitioners and other healthcare partners. The hospital emphasizes quality-assured, value-driven care and innovation, ensuring that the latest scientific developments are integrated into their services. Their strategic objectives include enhancing patient experience, maintaining affordability of care, and fostering an integrated care approach through advanced technology and partnerships.

The hospital boasts over 400 physicians, 2,500 employees, and 150 volunteers, managing over 35,000 classic hospitalizations and 55,000 admissions per year. It offers a wide range of medical specialties and services, including high-tech expert care and continuous adaptation to scientific advancements to ensure the best outcomes for patients​.

Here is an overview of some of the key specialized services offered:

1. Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery: Comprehensive cardiac care including diagnostics, interventional cardiology, and cardiac surgery.
2. Oncology: Multidisciplinary cancer treatment and care, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical oncology.
3. Orthopedics and Traumatology: Treatment for musculoskeletal conditions, sports injuries, and trauma care.
4. Neurology and Neurosurgery: Advanced care for neurological disorders and neurosurgical interventions.
5. Gastroenterology: Comprehensive care for digestive system disorders, including endoscopic procedures.
6. Urology: Specialized treatments for urinary tract and male reproductive system disorders.
7. Gynecology and Obstetrics: Women's health services, prenatal and postnatal care, and advanced gynecological surgeries.
8. Pediatrics: Comprehensive pediatric care including neonatal intensive care.
9. Dermatology: Treatment for skin disorders, cosmetic dermatology, and dermatologic surgery.
10. Pulmonology: Care for respiratory system disorders, including advanced diagnostics and treatments.
11. Ophthalmology: Comprehensive eye care services, including surgeries for cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors.
12. ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat): Treatment for disorders of the ear, nose, and throat, including surgical interventions.
13. Rheumatology: Care for autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal disorders.
14. Nephrology: Comprehensive kidney care, including dialysis and transplantation.

AZ Maria Middelares Hospital in Ghent, Belgium, is known for its high standards in providing quality healthcare. The hospital focuses on value-driven care, emphasizing a patient-oriented approach and the use of advanced medical technologies. Their commitment to quality is evident through several initiatives:

1. Innovative Technology and Procedures: AZ Maria Middelares has been a pioneer in using the da Vinci SP robotic system for complex surgeries, such as intracorporeal kidney autotransplantation. This system allows for minimally invasive procedures, reducing recovery times and improving patient outcomes​​.

2. Quality Assurance and Patient Experience: The hospital uses big data analysis to continuously monitor and improve the quality of care. They employ various digital platforms and care pathways to enhance efficiency and patient satisfaction. For example, their pain center has increased departmental capacity by 50% through the implementation of digital care pathways, which streamline pre-consultation processes and improve overall patient management​​.

3. Integrated and High-Tech Care: The hospital emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated care, ensuring that all patient needs are met through a coordinated approach. This includes leveraging the latest scientific developments and high-tech solutions to provide expert care​​.

4. Smart Hospital Initiatives: AZ Maria Middelares has invested in smart hospital technologies, including a hospital-wide Wi-Fi and Bluetooth network for real-time tracking of assets and patients. This infrastructure supports various innovative projects aimed at improving operational efficiency and patient care​​.

AZ Maria Middelares, located in Ghent, Belgium, operates with a clear strategic direction and purpose aimed at providing high-quality, patient-centered care. The hospital emphasizes several key strategic objectives:

1. Quality-Assured, Value-Driven Care: The hospital prioritizes delivering value-based health care through multidisciplinary consultations that involve patients and their families. Efforts are continuously made to improve the quality and affordability of care, ensuring that all patient needs are met comprehensively​​.

2. High-Tech Expert Care and Innovation: AZ Maria Middelares focuses on providing advanced medical care using the latest scientific developments. This includes implementing innovative technologies and processes, such as their digital care pathways and smart hospital initiatives that enhance both patient care and operational efficiency​.

3. Stimulating Work Environment: The hospital fosters a collaborative and engaging work environment for its physicians and staff, recognizing that their commitment is crucial to maintaining high standards of care​​.

4. Integrated and Connected Care: Given the increasing complexity of healthcare, AZ Maria Middelares is committed to an integrated care approach. This involves seamless collaboration with other healthcare providers and the use of technology to ensure continuous and connected care for patients​.

5. Strategic Partnerships: The hospital seeks strategic partnerships to improve the quality of care. This approach helps in sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices across the healthcare network​.

Hospital AZ Maria Middelares in Ghent, Belgium, has garnered several awards and recognitions for its high standards of care and innovative practices. Some key accolades include:

1. Top Employer 2024: AZ Maria Middelares has been recognized as a Top Employer in 2024, highlighting its commitment to excellent working conditions, employee development, and well-being​​.

2. Innovative Technology: The hospital has achieved a world first with the use of the da Vinci SP’s innovative technology in thoracic vascular surgery. This showcases the hospital’s leadership in adopting cutting-edge medical technologies to enhance patient care​​.

3. Recognized Coordinating Breast Clinic: The hospital's Breast Clinic is officially recognized, reflecting its high standards in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and care​​.

These recognitions underscore AZ Maria Middelares' dedication to providing top-quality healthcare services and maintaining a supportive environment for both patients and staff.