[Jury prize of the Austrian National Prize 2018 : 12 years European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) at the University Eye Clinic Graz].

Background: The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) approach has been successfully implemented in healthcare but reports about EFQM awards at university clinics are lacking so far. Can a non-profit organization, such as a university eye department successfully compete with profit companies from industry for the National Prize of the Federal Ministry for Innovation and Business in Austria?

Material And Methods: Following successful committed to excellence (C2E) assessments in 2008 and 2010, a 70-page corporate report was compiled strictly according to the EFQM logic (latest version 2013), consisting of basic concepts, criteria matrix and results/approach/deployment/assessment and refinement (RADAR) logic, which formed the basis for an 1‑day assessment in 2018. Special emphasis was laid on the development and presentation of the strategy by means of the X‑matrix (according to Hoshin-Kanri) between the University Eye Department and its shareholders, the Styrian Hospital Association (KAGes) owned by the Federal State of Styria and the Medical University financed by the Austrian State Federal Ministry.