Lesson 11.2 · 6 min

Between evaluations: what applies all the time

Open in the coursewith narrated slides, a checklist to tick off and a quiz

At a glance

The certificate runs to the end of 2027. It is limited to the term of the QS-VO 2024, so until 31 December 2027.
The deadlines keep running. Emergency training at least every two years, the safety talk every year, and many checks at regular intervals.
Visits with a reason. On a reasoned suggestion, an anonymous one too, a peer visits the practice within four weeks, unannounced if needed.
The certificate can be revoked. For serious deficiencies after it was issued, for example. A revoked certificate goes back to the BIQG within 14 days.
A new regulation from 2028. The law provides for regulations of five years each. The first period ends on 31 December 2027.

In detail

The certificate

The BIQG issues the quality certificate for the term of the QS-VO 2024 § 43(1), so until 31 December 2027 § 48(1). It shows the range of services you stated and that was evaluated § 43(2).

What keeps applying

The evaluation is a snapshot. The duties behind it keep running:

Duty	How often	Basis	Lesson
Emergency training with the team, with a practical part	at least every two years	§ 8(4)	5.1
Talk on safety matters	every year	§ 22(3)	8.5
Instruction or training of staff	at regular intervals	§ 22(3)	8.5
Staff meetings, asking for feedback	regularly	§ 22(1)–(2)	8.5
Service emergency equipment, check expiry dates	regularly, with proof	§ 9(2)	5.2
Medicines and reagents: expiry, storage, stock	system of regular checks	§ 10(1)–(3)	7.1
Consumables: quantity, storage, expiry	system of regular checks	§ 12	7.3
Devices: maintenance, safety inspections	as the rules for each device require	§ 13(1)	7.4
Check fire extinguishers	as the rules require	§ 6(1)	4.1
Workplace risk assessment	regularly and when events call for it	§ 6(2), ASchG § 4(5)	4.2
Survey average waiting times	at regular intervals	§ 21(3)	3.2
Lab tests: proficiency testing or similar methods	ongoing, with proof	§ 14	7.5
Continuing medical education	ongoing, proven through the Academy of Physicians	§ 15	8.1
Hygiene training	for everyone, new staff included	Hygiene-V § 11	6.2
Disinfect surfaces at risk of contamination	regularly and when needed	Hygiene-V § 10(3)	6.1

The QS-VO mostly doesn't put a number on "regularly". Set the intervals yourself, write them down and keep to them.

Visits with a reason

A peer can come between evaluations too. The BIQG carries out on-site visits on reasoned suggestions, from the health ministry and other authorities, the medical chambers, the social insurance carriers and their umbrella association, or patient advocacy offices, for example: within four weeks of receipt, and without undue delay when there is imminent danger § 38(1). It follows up anonymous reports if they make clear which shortcomings are alleged in the specific practice § 38(2). The visit is announced with its reason, unless announcing it could hinder the check; then it comes unannounced. Other criteria may be checked as well § 38(3).

When the certificate is revoked

A certificate is revoked in writing if it turns out it shouldn't have been issued § 43(3):

because it rests on an invalid self-evaluation or remediation,
because original deficiencies come to light after it was issued, or
because deficiencies arose after it was issued,

in cases 2 and 3 when the deficiencies are so serious that the certificate can't stay valid even during a two-week remediation period, above all for patient safety. You send a revoked certificate back to the BIQG within 14 days; an electronic one you delete irretrievably within that time, destroying all copies § 43(4).

After 2027

The QS-VO 2024 applies until 31 December 2027 § 48(1). The Health Quality Act provides for regulations on criteria and procedure of five years each; the first period ends on 31 December 2027 GQG § 9b(1). In early October 2026 no draft of the successor regulation could be found yet. If you keep your proof up to date, you start the next period with what you already have.

Checklist

The ongoing duties are in a calendar with their due dates.
The next emergency training and the next safety talk are scheduled.
New staff are trained and briefed on the emergency plan, hygiene and confidentiality.
Proof is filed as you go, not just before the next evaluation.

Quiz

How long is a quality certificate under the QS-VO 2024 valid?

Indefinitely, as long as no deficiencies arise
Five years from issue
Three years from the on-site visit
Until 31 December 2027, the end of the QS-VO 2024's term

Show the answer

The answer is D: Until 31 December 2027, the end of the QS-VO 2024's term. § 43(1): limited to the term of the QS-VO 2024, which under § 48(1) ends on 31 December 2027.

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.