In the last period, the director of the University Hospital in Ostrava, MUDr. Jiří Havrlant, MHA, has had to deal with a considerable influx of COVID-positive patients and has also had to overcome the shock after the tragic accident in which a gunman killed seven people. He has been leading the largest medical facility in the Moravian-Silesian Region since February 2019. Thanks to him, the University of Ostrava has regained accreditation in general medicine, and a number of new top academic experts have joined the hospital.
High demands are placed on the healthcare sector today, and not only in relation to overcoming the pandemic crisis. How is your hospital coping with this period?
If I had to give a one-word answer, it would be successfully. But I would like to clarify what I mean by that word. It is about my team of close associates who help me manage unexpected and difficult situations. It is about realising how quickly a hospital’s reputation can be ruined and that it often takes very little to do so. Leading a facility with over three and a half thousand people — a large majority of them highly regarded and respected personalities — brings with it some situations that might often be difficult. And the role of the director, in my opinion, is to make it clear to those people that he stands behind them, that he values their work and that they can turn to him at any time. That he is a person who really cares about the hospital and spends 24 hours a day there when the going gets tough. I think that without the support and trust of my colleagues, the hospital would not have ended up in positive numbers and in good staffing shape. I also want to believe that doctors are not leaving because they see how the hospital has progressed and is still progressing. I am sending a clear signal to young doctors that we will off er them professional growth and, if they are interested, conditions for research and development activities. This is something that has not been emphasised here in the past.
You have managed to build an erudite team of senior consultants and senior doctors, which played a decisive role in granting accreditation to the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ostrava. Where do you see further directions of cooperation with the faculty?
As I have mentioned, we defi nitely want to focus on supporting research and development at the Faculty of Medicine. I have appointed top senior consultants of clinics to the evaluation committee of grant start-up projects; for the winners, we will create the conditions for their scientific research. We will open a brand new medical library from the new academic year, where doctors and students alike will find all available literature. We are gradually equipping the classrooms in the clinics with technology that allows transmissions from the operating theatres. Our students thus have excellent facilities and have the opportunity of simulated access to operations. And I would also like to stress that we have successfully implemented a career code that supports doctors in medical, research and development, anagement and postgraduate education. The current cooperation between the University Hospital in Ostrava and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ostrava is excellent. I also consider it important that most of the faculty graduates subsequently work in the Moravian-Silesian Region after graduation, which is crucial for this area.
You have stabilised the hospital, especially in terms of personnel. What are the visions for further development in the interest of patients?
The University Hospital in Ostrava ranked first in the Moravian-Silesian Region and second in the entire Czech Republic in the patient rating of the quality of care provided. And this is undoubtedly a binding result. I know that patients evaluate a hospital by its care and the staff ’s attitude, and the environment that the health professionals create. I think we are doing very well in this respect. We have replaced beds in the inpatient wards with new ones, and our hospital kitchen is of a very high standard. Hospitalised patients can choose from seven meals. In the maternity ward, we managed to start a buff et breakfast system, which means that mothers can choose what they want for breakfast. They can have salty or sweet versions, cereals, and if they are hungry during the day, they can come in for a healthy snack at any time. We were the first in the Moravian-Silesian region to open a registry offi ce in the hospital. What we have still not managed to solve completely, as in almost all hospitals, is parking. But even in this area, we already see better times ahead. The opening of a pavilion for psychiatric care will certainly be a huge benefi t in psychiatry reform in the Czech Republic.
Since your arrival, you have successfully guided the hospital through several crisis periods. However, the psyche of a top manager requires relaxation. How do you recharge your batteries?
I prefer cycling and skiing in winter. And I like to explore interesting — albeit not very touristy — places in the Czech Republic and Europe. So I prefer an active form of relaxation, preferably with the family.
Thank you for the interview.
