Lesson 1.3 · 7 min
Preparing for the on-site visit
Open in the coursewith narrated slides, a checklist to tick off and a quiz
At a glance
- Drawn at random. The BIQG draws practices at random: at least 100 of every 1,000 practices and group practices in an evaluation cycle.
- Letter and date. You are told in writing, and the peers arrange a date. The visit should take place within six weeks.
- On the day. You are present. The peers see all rooms, the records and two anonymised patient files.
- Report and statement. You can add to the report on site and send a written statement within 14 days.
In detail
How you find out
If your practice is drawn, the BIQG tells you in writing without delay and announces that the peers will arrange a date § 33(1). The visit should take place within six weeks of that letter; in justified cases the period can be shortened or extended § 33(3).
You may turn down assigned peers for objective reasons. Turning peers down repeatedly without reason is a disciplinary offence § 33(2).
On the day of the visit
- You are present yourself; in a group practice at least one partner § 33(5).
- The peers and the representatives of organisations entitled to take part get access to all rooms § 33(6).
- You make available all records that §§ 4 to 14 and 16 to 24 require § 33(7).
- For the check of your records (§ 17(1)) you prepare two complete, anonymised patient files in advance. Only the peers see them. More files only in justified exceptions, at the peers' request § 33(7).
After the visit
- The peers write a report. You can add to it on site; the peer and you sign it. If you refuse to sign, that is noted § 33(8).
- The report goes to the BIQG within 14 days. You receive a copy and have 14 days for a written statement, email included § 33(8)–(9).
- The copy states at least every deviation found § 33(10). Deficiencies are followed by a BIQG remediation order § 35.
What not to risk
If the check doesn't happen for reasons you are responsible for, that is a serious breach of professional duty and a disciplinary offence; the BIQG reports it to the Medical Chamber's disciplinary prosecutor § 33(11).
Well prepared
- one folder per criterion, up to date;
- two chosen patient files, complete and anonymised, ready for the day;
- every room accessible, storage, reprocessing and plant rooms included;
- someone on the team who knows where each piece of proof is.
Checklist
- The records for §§ 4–14 and 16–24 are at hand.
- Two complete patient files are chosen and can be shown anonymised.
- You are present on the day, or at least one partner of a group practice.
- Every room is accessible, storage and reprocessing included.
- You know you can add to the report on site and send a statement within 14 days.
Quiz
What do you prepare for the check of your records (§ 17(1))?
- All patient files from the last year
- A list of the most common diagnoses
- Two complete, anonymised patient files
- Nothing, the peers choose themselves
Show the answer
The answer is C: Two complete, anonymised patient files. § 33(7): two files, prepared complete and anonymised in advance and shown only to the peers; more only in justified exceptions, on request.
Sources
This lesson's statements rest on:
Not legal advice. What counts is the text of the QS-VO 2024 in the Federal Legal Information System (version of 3 October 2026) and the Austrian Medical Chamber's Hygiene Regulation 2014. Not an offer of ÖQMED, the BIQG or the Medical Chamber.