OULU UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL P romoting better health
Top healthcare provider Oulu University Hospital (OYS) is an innovative, research and development-oriented provider of high-quality healthcare. The five university hospitals in Finland are each responsible for providing the most demanding specialised care in their catchment areas. The special responsibility area of Oulu University Hospital covers the whole of Northern Finland accounting for more than half of Finland s geographical area and home to 741,000 people. Municipalities are responsible for arranging primary healthcare for their residents. An overall restructuring of the Finnish healthcare system is currently in process. OYS develops and organises its operations in partnership with the municipalities in its catchment area. This allows seamless integration of the specialised healthcare services provided by the university hospital with the primary healthcare services. Patients receive appropriate, effective, and safe care in the right place and at the right time. The guiding values and ethical principles of OYS are human dignity, responsibility, fairness, capacity for renewal, and transparency.
Patient-oriented care Oulu University Hospital offers high-quality specialised healthcare services provided by top professionals in the field. Patient care is based on the latest research, best practises in treatment, and the use of state-of-the-art technology. OYS provides treatment in all fields of clinical specialty and a diverse range of support services. Treatment is based on the needs of the patient. Patients can participate in the planning, implementation and monitoring of their care according to their capabilities. They can also have a say in where, when, and by whom they are treated. The choices, values and cultural background of patients are respected. Oulu University Hospital is responsible for emergency medicine within its catchment area. The joint emergency clinic of the Oulu region operates in Oulu University Hospital. The unit provides a comprehensive level of specialised and primary healthcare emergency services. A medical helicopter based at the hospital provides emergency services for an extensive area of Northern Finland. Northern Finland is geographically large and sparsely populated and provision of services for its residents presents a challenge. OYS responds to the challenge by enhancing resource use, developing the division of labour, and increasing co-operation. In Northern Finland, laboratory services in specialised healthcare have been concentrated within the NordLab laboratory consortium established by the hospitals of the region. The consortium analyses more than 8.5 million laboratory tests annually. NordLab has five regional laboratories, one of which is located in Oulu. Oulu University Hospital also produces advanced services for the developmentally disabled in its membership municipalities. OYS complements and supports the care of the developmentally disabled arranged by municipalities by focusing on the provision of demanding services, such as examination services, and both short and long-term institutional care.
High-quality research and training Oulu University Hospital conducts high-quality clinical research, acknowledged both nationally and internationally, and schools future top healthcare professionals. Research and development work ensures that patients receive high-quality and safe care in line with the latest medical knowledge and best treatment practices. Research strengths include population-level studies, connective and supportive tissue research, cardiovascular research, and research into gene-environment interaction. its own programmes in support of research and training. Other international top operators are welcome to join the MRC partnership organisation. A Northern Finland biobank has been established which will become part of the Finnish and European networks for biobanks. The biobank is slated to begin operating in 2015. OYS also engages in research co-operation with other universities, universities of applied sciences, and centres of innovation. The Medical Research Center Oulu (MRC) is a partnership organisation established by OYS and the University of Oulu, tasked with facilitating high-quality clinical research, the adoption of new technologies, and internationalisation in the field. The MRC participates in the development of doctoral training in the field and implements
Students are a familiar sight in the hallways of OYS, since training healthcare professionals is one of the primary duties of university hospitals. Fulfilling this obligation is a pleasure. It represents an investment for the future, since well-implemented training secures the availability of competent professionals. Healthcare colleges and the university are responsible for the theoretical education of students. Students start participating in practical care work very soon after the beginning of their studies. This training takes place under the guidance and supervision of experienced personnel. Patients generally take a positive attitude towards research and training and are happy to participate. Photo: Oulu University
Eyes on the future Oulu University Hospital is preparing for the future with a major modernisation programme. The OuluHealth centre of competence formed around the hospital aims to achieve the status of national innovation centre. Over the years, a cluster of competence in the ICT, bio, health, and welfare industries known as OuluHealth has accumulated in Kontinkangas on the outskirts of the centre of Oulu. More than one hundred organisations operate in the area today. The competence cluster provides employment for more than 8,000 employees. The organisations participating in OuluHealth are developing it into an international innovation centre, where welfare service providers, educational institutes, scientists and companies work in co-operation. The goals of the cluster are to renew the public service system, create new jobs, and attract international companies and other operators to Finland and the Oulu region.
OYS has a significant role in the development of OuluHealth. In the next two decades, the hospital will invest approximately EUR 500 million in the modernisation of its functions and premises. The Future Hospital OYS 2030 programme related to this project has already been launched. Future Hospital is an extensive operational renewal programme, which will secure the position of OYS as a national and international top provider of specialised health care. The programme s objectives are to improve the quality, productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of treatment, as well as the renovation of premises to meet future needs. The utilisation and development of advanced technology creating a smart hospital is an integral part of the Future Hospital programme.
NORTHERN OSTROBOTHNIA HOSPITAL DISTRICT Utsjoki Inari Enontekiö Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital District Key figures 2013 Muonio Kittilä Sodankylä Savukoski Oulu University Hospital (OYS), Oulu - Specialised healthcare services - Demanding specialised referrals Oulaskangas Hospital, Oulainen - Specialised healthcare services in the southern Oulu region Budget EUR 555 M Employees c. 6 600 Referrals 127,000/year Patients treated 122,000/year Treatment days 260,000/year Outpatient visits 470,000/year Hospital beds 985 Länsi-Pohja Central Hospital Kolari Pello Ylitornio Tornio Keminmaa Tervola Simo Lapland Central Kemijärvi Hospital Rovaniemi Ranua Pelkosenniemi Posio Salla Kuusamo Visala Hospital, Ylivieska - Adult psychiatry Tahkokangas Service Centre, Oulu - Care of the developmentally disabled Oulu University Hospital PL 10 Kajaanintie 50 90029 OYS, Finland www.ppshp.fi Oulaskangas Hospital Visala Hospital Keski-Pohjanmaa Central Hospital) Oulu University Hospital Ii Pudasjärvi Taivalkoski Oulu Kempele Hailuoto Suomussalmi Lumijoki Muhos Utajärvi Puolanka Liminka Tyrnävä Siikajoki Hyrynsalmi Raahe Pyhäjoki Vaala Paltamo Ristijärvi Merijärvi Siikalatva Alavieska Kuhmo Oulainen Kalajoki Haapavesi Kajaani Pyhäntä Sotkamo Ylivieska Kärsämäki Nivala Kokkola Kannus Sievi Haapajärvi Kainuu Kruunupyy Toholampi Pyhäjärvi Central Hospital Kaustinen Reisjärvi Lestijärvi Veteli Halsua Perho Kemi Text: Verbi Communications Photography and layout: OYS Photography Unit Printed by Erweko Oy 2014