Alles draait om IC, Integriteit en Competentie
The Importance of Integrity and Competence as Truly Value-Driven Care
Professor of Intensive Care Medicine and Clinical Pharmacologist Armand Girbes says in his farewell address: "From my early years as a physician, I made one inner promise: never do anything on orders that you do not stand behind with substantiated arguments. Arguments and knowledge take precedence over hierarchy, self-interest, and politics; patient interest as the gold standard. True value-driven care. Intensive Care is holistic medicine and flourishes best in a complete, non-fragmented hospital. With good patient care, space for education, training, and research arises naturally. With the support of the then Executive Board and the Head of Surgery, we developed the VUmc IC into one large department: 24/7 specialized care, a dual medical-nursing leadership structure, simulation and ECHO training, and genuine attention for families. Teamwork and a culture of mutual accountability formed the foundation. The Amsterdam reorganization/merger clashed with the holistic approach. The fact that the holistic approach is now possible again is satisfying, now that the Executive Board is once again openly speaking about everything in one." bring building."