VU University Medical Center

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VU University Medical Center Amsterdam
Stichting VU-VUmc
VUmc bord.jpg
VU University Medical Center is located in Netherlands
VU University Medical Center
Location in The Netherlands
Geography
Location De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Organisation
Funding Government hospital
Hospital type Academic
Affiliated university VU University Amsterdam
Patron None
Services
Emergency department I
Helipad Yes
Beds 733
History
Founded 1964 (as the Academic Hospital of the Vrije Universiteit)[1]
Links
Website http://www.vumc.com/ English
Lists Hospitals in The Netherlands

VU University Medical Center Amsterdam (Dutch: VU Medisch Centrum or VUmc) is the university hospital affiliated with the VU University Amsterdam. It is rated as one of the best academic medical centers in the country in terms of patient care[2][3] and research.[4] It is located next to Amsterdam's A10 ringway in the southwestern part of the city, next to the campus of the VU University and close to Schiphol airport.

On 30 October 2015, researchers at the VUMC Cancer Center Amsterdam reported developing a blood test that, from a single drop of blood, can diagnose cancer with a probability of 97%, and about 6-8% probability of a false diagnosis, in healthy patients.[5][6]

History

Abraham Kuyper (1899)

VU University Medical Center Amsterdam was opened in 1964 as the Academic Hospital of the Vrije Universiteit. This was made possible by the Vrouwen VU-hulp (English: Women VU help) charity, which was started in 1932 and aimed to support the Vrije Universiteit.[7] Money was collected in the now iconic green tins with the likeness of Abraham Kuyper. These tins were distributed to families of the Dutch Reformed Church, specifically to the housewives of those families. After the end of the Second World War the charity's goal became to raise money to start a medical school. It took about 7 years before sufficient funds were raised, with the government footing 85 percent of the bill. Because of this, the idea that VUmc was funded by the 'kleine luyden' (English: little people) still exists today.[8]

Bos-2008.jpg
Wouter Bos (2008)

VU University Medical Center Amsterdam was created in 2001 by the merger of the Academic Hospital of VU University with the medical school of VU University Amsterdam (VU). In June 2013 Wouter Bos was appointed as chairman of the board of directors of VU University Medical Center.

Cooperation and merger

VU University Medical Center Amsterdam is in the process of merging with the other university hospital of Amsterdam, the Academic Medical Center, which is affiliated with the Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam's other university.[9]

Care

Tertiary care departments include advanced trauma care, pediatric and neonatal intensive care, cardiothoracic surgery, neurosurgery, infectious diseases and other departments. VUmc has the largest Level I trauma center in the country and an air medical services helicopter is affiliated with the hospital, covering three provinces.

Air medical services affiliated with VUmc

Special units include:

Reputation

The medical center installed 35 high-grade security cameras and 35 microphones in the emergency department of the hospital for 16 days in January and February 2012 to film the TV program 24 uur: tussen leven en dood (based on 24 Hours in A&E. After broadcasting[10] the first episode the show was cancelled at the request of the VUmc.[11]

Initially, three patients brought charges [12][13] against the hospital and the production company for breaking doctor-patient confidentiality, illegal wire-tapping and the breach of Dutch privacy laws. The charges were settled, and VUmc agreed to pay 30.000 euro.[14]

References

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External links