VU University Medical Center

VU University Medical Center Amsterdam
Stichting VU-VUmc
Location in The Netherlands
Geography
Location	De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Coordinates	52°20′07″N 4°51′36″E / 52.335159°N 4.859905°E / 52.335159; 4.859905Coordinates: 52°20′07″N 4°51′36″E / 52.335159°N 4.859905°E / 52.335159; 4.859905
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.

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.^[5] 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.^[6]

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 Academisch Medisch Centrum (Academic Medical Center), which is affiliated with the Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam's other university.^[7]

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:

• Neurosurgery
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• Neonatal and pediatric surgery and intensive care
• Pediatric oncology

Reputation

The reputation of the institution has taken a downfall after reports in the media about the TV program 24 uur: tussen leven en dood (based on 24 Hours in A&E). A total of 35 high-grade security cameras and 35 microphones were installed in the emergency department of the hospital. This lasted for a period of 16 days in January and February 2012. Taping would only be initiated after consent of the individual patient, by creating a protocol and by providing folders and posters in its emergency room, the VUmc attempted to safeguard its patients rights and interests.

After broadcasting ^[8] the first episode the show was cancelled at the request of the VUmc.^[9] The hospital, the producers, and the network agreed to share in the production cost of the program, totaling almost 600.000 euro.

Initially, 3 patients brought charges ^[10][11] 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.^[12]

See also

• Academic Medical Center (AMC)
• VU University Amsterdam

References