As the CEO of Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC), one of the largest hospitals in Portugal, he believes a hospital truly excels when it transcends its traditional role. Here’s Carlos Santos’s vision for what makes a hospital exceptional.
„A hospital is more than a hospital:
When it aims to provide high-quality care while optimizing costs and improving patient outcomes;
When it is patient-centered, involving patients in their own care decisions;
When it promotes integrated and multidisciplinary care teams;
When it is focused on achieving better outcomes rather than a higher volume of services;
When it is actively engaged with the community;
When it is involved in cutting-edge medical research and innovation;
When it is a teaching center, training the next generations of healthcare professionals, and offering continuing education for the staff;
When the organizational culture blends strong management practices with dynamic leadership to adapt and thrive in changing environments.
But, above all, when the hospital is the strongest link of a robust health system, which ensures universal coverage, regardless the socioeconomic status of the population.”
