STANDARD OPERATION & INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

Hellenic Healthcare Group:

The Hellenic Healthcare Group (HHG) was awarded for the forth year with the Silver Distinction from EcoVadis, the world's leading corporate Sustainability assessment organization, for the socially responsible practices it implements in relation to responsible entrepreneurship matters, sustainability and sustainable development.

Hygeia Hospital:

• The first hospital in Greece that possesses the Gold Seal of Approval® for quality in health services and patient safety by the most reputable and internationally recognized Health Organization Accreditation Standard (Joint Commission International).
• In 2019, it received the SILVER top distinction and was lauded as the “Best New Entry” by the Corporate Responsibility Institute.
• It is the only hospital in Greece that has won an award three times for its work environment in the context of the annual survey Best Workplaces for companies with more than 250 employees.
• It ranked among the 21 companies included among “The Most sustainable companies in Greece” for 2017, according to the Sustainability Performance Directory of the Quality Net Foundation in Greece.
• It features the first and only center of excellence in Greece in the field of surgery for diseases of the colon, rectum and anus in the 6th Surgery Clinic. In 2018, the clinic received Center of Excellence certification in Colorectal Surgery (COECS) from the American non-profit organization Surgical Review Corporation.
• It features the Radiation Oncology Center, the most cutting edge and well equipped center in Greece, and one of the best in Europe, which has been designated a Center of Excellence for Stereotactic Radiation Therapy and Radiosurgery according to the International Radiosurgery Association (IRSA).

Metropolitan Hospital:

• The central quality management system of the hospital is structured according to the requirements of ISO 9001 and has been certified by the international body Bureau Veritas since 2008. This certification validates the establishment and adherence to safety and clinical effectiveness standards, and its maintenance confirms the commitment of the hospital's staff to providing continuously improved healthcare services.

• In extension of the certification with the requirements of the International Standard ISO 9001:2015, the hospital has been accredited according to the ELOT EN 15224:2017 standard, the application of which emphasizes clinical risk management and patient safety.

• ISO 45001 Certification: This certification confirms Metropolitan Hospital's commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, partners, and visitors. The ISO 45001 standard sets strict requirements for the prevention of occupational accidents, risk reduction, and the implementation of effective management, monitoring, and continuous improvement procedures for occupational safety. The certification reflects the systematic effort of all departments and employees to adopt and implement international best practices, highlighting Metropolitan Hospital's steadfast commitment to placing the health, safety, and well-being of its human resources at the core of its operations.

• It is certified by the National Accreditation System (ESYD) for the technical competence of its laboratories and the issuance of reliable laboratory results, in accordance with the international standard for clinical laboratories ISO 15189-2012, covering microbiological, biochemical, hematological, and immunological examinations. Additionally, the accuracy and reliability of all laboratory analyses are continuously validated by high-quality external quality controls (NEQAS, EQAS, LABQUALITY).

• It has been certified for Catering Services since September 2011 by Lloyd’s Register (LRQA), according to the internationally recognized food safety and hygiene standard ISO 22000. This certification validates, in addition to compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements governing food safety, the alignment with commonly accepted practices for the preparation, storage, and distribution of patient meals.

• The Breast and Women's Center, with Breast Surgeon and Assoc. Professor of the University of Nicosia, Mr. Vasilios Venizelos, as Director-Coordinator, has been, since March 2024, the first and only Breast Unit in Greece to hold the EUSOMA certification. The "Breast Centres Certification" distinction, an internationally recognized certification by the European Society of Mastology (EUSOMA), certifies that Metropolitan Hospital operates according to the high-quality standards and services defined by the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists for the treatment of breast diseases.

• It possesses one of the leading units in Europe and the first in Greece -the Acute Stroke Unit- which has been recognized and certified as a "Certified ESO Stroke Unit" by the ESO (European Stroke Organisation).

• In April 2018, the Acute Stroke Unit (ASU) was honored by the European Stroke Organisation with two Angels Awards: a Platinum Award for the 4th quarter of 2017 and a Gold Award for the first quarter of 2018.

• The Breast Center of Metropolitan Hospital was awarded the "Certificate of Membership" for 2017 by the Breast Centres Network (Synergy among Breast Units).

• Its 1st Oncology Clinic is the only oncology clinic in Greece operating with a recommendation from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO).

• The 1st Oncology Clinic of Metropolitan Hospital has been, since 2016 and for three consecutive terms (2016–2018, 2019–2021, and 2022–2024), the only oncology clinic in Greece recommended as a "Designated Center of Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care" by ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology), the largest society of medical oncologists in Europe.

• The Breast Unit achieved a major distinction at the Panhellenic Congress of the Hellenic Society of Breast Surgeons (EXEM) in November 2018. It received three awards, two for oral presentations and one for an electronically posted paper (e-Poster), a fact that renders it a pioneer and unique, as this triple award has not been achieved in past corresponding congresses by any other breast unit.

• The hospital's innovative Lung Cancer Screening Program, "Lung Health" (Πνευμόνων Υγεία), received the Silver Award at the Patient Partnerships Awards 2022, organized by Health Daily and Boussias Communications, in the presence of prominent health sector executives. "Lung Health," a vital part of Metropolitan Hospital's Check-up Department, constitutes the first organized screening/preventive program in Greece for the early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide.

• The Breast Center of Metropolitan Hospital received the certification of educational excellence for breast biopsy, "Center of Educational Excellence for Breast Biopsy".

• The Breast Center of Metropolitan Hospital was honored at the annual institution event that recognizes health structures for "Best practices in the field of health and remarkable contribution and vision for the future, with patients and the wider community as recipients," with the following awards:

  • Bronze Award for Innovation at the Healthcare Business Awards 2019

  • Bronze Award for Innovation at the Healthcare Business Awards 2020

  • Silver Award for Innovation at the Healthcare Business Awards 2020

  • Bronze Award for Innovation at the Healthcare Business Awards 2021

• The Center for Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Lymphedema-Lymphatic Diseases for Adults and Children at Metropolitan Hospital, under the direction of specialized Lymphologist Mr. Evangelos Dimakakos, received a distinction from the VAS-European Independent Foundation in Angiology/Vascular Medicine, in collaboration with UEMS, as one of the top European centers for the high scientific medical services it provides to its patients.

• The Hypertension Clinic, under the direction of Mr. Athanasios Manolis, is the first private hypertension clinic in Greece to be certified as a Hypertension Excellence Centre by the European Society of Hypertension (June 2021).

• The Center for Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Lymphedema-Lymphatic Diseases for Children and Adults was named a "Comprehensive Center of Excellence" by the international Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) and is now one of the best holistic centers for the treatment of lymphedema and lymphatic diseases worldwide.

• In January 2018, an honorary award was presented to the Director of the hospital's Breast Center, Mr. Vasilios Venizelos, for supporting the implementation of the international voluntary support program for women with breast cancer, "Reach to Recovery," carried out by the "Alma Zois" Panhellenic Association of Women with Breast Cancer.

• It was certified by the Dutch Foundation for Cooperation on Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB), within the framework of its collaboration with IIEK SVIE, for the training of Nursing students (Nursing Assistants) through ERASMUS programs from schools in the Netherlands. The certification was approved by Ms. Gerda Hoxe (advisor international work placements Foundation for cooperation on Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market).

Mitera Hospital:

• The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) ranks among the top units internationally.
• The IVF MITERA ranks among the most specialized Assisted Reproduction units in Greece and one of the few possessing international accreditation from the International Clinical Rating Agency GCR.
• The Mitera Breast Center is a full member of the international “Breast Centres Network” and is a center that represents a point of reference for breast cancer, in Europe as well as worldwide.
• It has been awarded for being the best work environment (Best Workplaces 2014).
• It has been awarded in the "Energy Services Companies" category for the implementation of the hospital's energy upgrade contract, at the Energy Mastering Awards 2015.

Metropolitan General:

• It has been internationally recognized as a “Preferred Partner Hospital” and “Best Hospitals Worldwide” by the Diplomatic Council continuously from 2014 to today.
• Since 2013, it has been certified by the international Organization for Medical Tourism Certifications (Temos International) for quality in the care of international patients.
• It is certified with international, upgraded ISO 9001:2015, which places an increased emphasis on the quality of care that the patient must receive.
• Its Pathological Anatomy Laboratory is one of the few private hospital laboratories in Greece accredited for the high quality of its services by the National Accreditation System (ESYD) in accordance with the requirements of international standard EΛOT EN ISO 15189:2022.
•  In 2021 It was certified as a Center of Excellence in Hernia Surgery by the international association of surgical certification Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), a certification held by few medical centers worldwide.
• The Cardiac Ultrasound and Cardiac MRI Laboratories of Metropolitan General are among the few in Greece and in Europe that are certified by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

Leto Hospital:

• It has received awards from the Health Center for Disease Prevention (KEELPNO) of the Ministry of Health for its participation in vaccination against seasonal influenza for the 2017-2018 period as part of the awards “Anti-flu vaccination of workers in health care facilities."
• It has been recognized and awarded as a leading corporate brand in Greece by the prestigious institution “Corporate Superbrand 2018 - 2019”.
• The Central Laboratories of Leto Hospital have been certified with ISO 9001:2008 pertaining to Quality Management systems by the Certification Body of TUV Austria Hellas. The implementation of a certified Quality System ensures accurate and timely publication of results by staff who stand apart for their professionalism and scientific competence. Moreover, continuous development of know-how and readiness to adopt new methods and techniques is ensured, through the continuous upgrading of technology. Finally, the level of service provided is constantly upgraded, to patients as well as collaborating physicians, focusing on their needs and expectations.
• Leto General Clinic is certified for all its services according to the international quality standards such as ISO 9001: 2015 & ELOT EN 15224: 2017.

Creta InterClinic:

• Quality Management System certified to ISO 9001.
• The first Certified member of the International Organization Temos International for "Quality of care for international patients” in Crete.
• Since 2014, and every year, it has been ranked among the "DC best preferred hospitals - clinics worldwide".

Aretaeio Hospital:

• Aretaeio Hospital has adopted an Operating System in accordance with the International Standard ISO 9001:2015, which applies throughout the Organisation and in all its activities regarding the provision of Medical and Nursing services, which have an impact both in the quality of services provided and the satisfaction of its patients.
• Aretaeio Hospital has adopted a strict adherence to the food and beverage code, as well as the application and the maintenance of a Food Safety Management System, in accordance with the requirements of HACCP and the International Standard ISO 22000:2018 at all stages of the process of receipt, storage/preservation, production and disposal, with the main scope being on ‘Catering Services’.

• Aretaeio Hospital provides a wide range of services in healthcare and is committed towards continuous improvement of its processes and practices. It is the Hospital’s policy to ensure that each task is executed from the beginning to completion in a manner that sets and maintains the highest level of service, reliability and consistency, always in response to the local legislation, customer and patients’ requirements and with special attention to Health and Safety issues, through the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Management System; ISO 45001: 2018.

• Aretaeio Hospital won the Bronze Award in the category: ‘Digital Applications for the information and integrated care of patients’ at the ‘Cyprus Healthcare Business Awards 2021’.

• Aretaeio Hospital has been awarded the Bronze prize in the category: ‘Technology & Health’, at the Cyprus Responsible Business Awards 2021, for its participation in the European-funded Program: "CHERRIES", in the field of Responsible Research and Innovation.

• Aretaeio Hospital has developed a very successful application (E-HCert) which is built on public blockchain providing its patients and prescribing doctors with immediate and secure access to their medical results combining security, interoperability, immutability, traceability and compliance. Due to this achievement, Aretaeio was mentioned in the latest publication of the ‘Whitepaper’ issued on March ‘23 by the Vechain Foundation, in cooperation with the BCG (Boston Consulting Group, USA, which is in the Top 2 US global management consultant Companies with 25,000 employees and $11B annual revenue), regarding sustainability.

Apollonion Private Hospital:

• Implements an ISO 9001 Quality Management System, an ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Management System and an ISO 2200 Food Safety Management System;
• Has been evaluated and approved by the Cyprus Nursing and Midwifery Council for Clinical and Practical training in all Nursing and Midwifery specialties;
• Has signed cooperation contracts with the Medical Schools of the Private Universities of Cyprus for Clinical and Practical training of medical students;
• Ηas been awarded with a triple distinction at the Cyprus Health Care Business Awards 2021. The "Cardiac Innovation Center Pediatric & Adult Cardiac Surgery" was awarded with:
  • A gold award in the Innovative Equipment or Medical Service category;
  • A gold award in the Innovative Hospital Department category;
  • A silver award in the category Strategic emphasis and collaboration in internationalization, research, innovative products or medical services, etc.

• They are certified with international, upgraded ISO 9001:2015 and BS EN 15224:2016, which places an increased emphasis on the quality of care that the patient must receive.