Quality control in cochlear impIant care: Introduction of a certification system and a national register

Abstract

Providing patients suffering from severe hearing loss or deafness with a cochlear implant (CI) is a complex, lifelong and interdisciplinary process. The updated AWMF guideline and the white paper created by the DGHNO-KHC describe the technical basis of the care process. Based on these documents, both a certification system and a national CI register were introduced in 2021. Since the introduction of the certification system, more than 40 clinics have been successfully certified as CIVE (Cochlea-Implantat-versorgende-Einrichtung). On the basis of a structured process, an "offsite" audit was carried out first, followed by an "onsite" audit. The basis for this was the training of experts and their appointment by an independent certifier (ClarCert, Neu-Ulm). Since the end of 2021, it has been possible to participate in the national CI register. This project, initiated by the DGHNO-KHC, is technically implemented by the company Innoforce (Rugell, Liechtenstein). Since the registry was set up, more than 70 clinics have taken part and more than 600 implants have already been registered. The introduction of the certification system and the national CI register has been very successful so far and has been established as part of quality control. Future modifications of the guideline and the white paper will thus also be able to relate to the data collected within the framework of the register in order to achieve continuous further development of relevant quality parameters.