A banner reading austrian health forum. Gastein stands outdoors with a backdrop of mountains, trees, and a bright, cloudy sky.

News

Towards a ‘patient-centred healthcare system’

The new division within the scc group, the scc group for healthcare, took part for the first time at the annual Austrian Health Forum in Gastein at the end of October – arguably the industry’s most important platform. Our colleagues Bernhard Puscha, Maria Turo-Christiansen, Christian Uidl, Edgar Reiter and Wilken Möller from our partner GITG represented us there. A truly fantastic and successful event that not only gave us the opportunity to showcase our work, but also to forge valuable contacts.

When innovative ideas meet committed people

... change happens. And that was exactly the atmosphere at the Austrian Health Forum Gastein 2025. Over 200 experts, decision-makers and change-makers from the fields of healthcare, business and politics gathered in Bad Hofgastein at the end of October to discuss the future of the Austrian healthcare system. The focus was on prevention, digitalisation and efficiency – and thus on the question of how our healthcare system can become more sustainable, more digital and more people-centred.

It was clear from the outset that the impending changes can only succeed if all stakeholders work together. Representatives from politics, social insurance and hospitals emphasised the need for a new culture of responsibility – a system that empowers people rather than merely managing them. The general consensus was that whilst there are plenty of ideas and pilot projects, there is a lack of courage to put them into practice. What is needed is a drive to take action, scope for innovation and the will to finally make consistent use of existing digital tools.

A man in a blue suit speaks at a podium with a microphone during a conference. The podium displays a sign that reads austrian health. People are seated in the audience, and a potted plant is in the background.

Efficiency means trust

Knowledge and time. The scc group for healthcare was, of course, part of this discussion. Speaking in the plenary session in his capacity as Head, Bernhard Puscha focused primarily on the topic of efficiency in the hospital sector – and on what this term really means in a healthcare context. “When we talk about resources in the healthcare system, we don’t just mean budgets or infrastructure,” he also emphasised in an interview with *Die Presse*. “Above all, we are talking about time, knowledge, energy and trust. Efficiency means making the best possible use of these resources – to improve core processes and to support doctors and nursing staff.”

Bernhard made it clear that technology plays a key role here. It has the power to free up valuable time and streamline processes. In modern hospitals, many processes run via SAP systems – often unnoticed, but indispensable. From admissions through to materials logistics, human resources management and billing, these systems manage the complex administrative workflows that make it possible for patient care to run smoothly in the first place.

“Let’s imagine a patient’s journey: at the initial contact, all the necessary data is recorded – effectively a digital ‘business card’ for their stay in hospital. From diagnosis to billing, every step is documented in the SAP system. That may sound technical, but in practice it is crucial: it ensures that no information is lost, that services can be billed correctly, and that doctors and nursing staff can focus on what really matters.”

Fewer clicks, more humanity

Bernhard illustrated just how much small optimisations can change everyday life using a specific example: “If a care worker only needs eight clicks instead of nineteen to set up a patient’s record, then – extrapolated to hospital operations – that makes a huge difference. It reduces stress, saves time and improves interaction with patients.”

Such seemingly small improvements result from clever process design – and this is precisely where we, as the scc group for healthcare, come in. Together with GITG AG, we develop solutions that are not only technically impressive but also improve the day-to-day reality of working in hospitals. It is not about inventing something completely new, but rather connecting existing systems more intelligently and increasing interoperability.

“We measure the quality of software by how quickly and error-free it can be used,” says Bernhard. “Technology is a tool – it must not replace the human touch in healthcare, but must reinforce it.”

AHF Gastein 2025

The SAP Transformation: Challenge and Opportunity

A major topic at the AHF was, of course, the upcoming SAP transformation. Support for the existing ‘SAP ECC’ systems will come to an end in 2030 – including the ‘IS-H’ solution previously used for patient administration and billing. This affects all hospital groups in Austria.

“This represents a massive turning point for the hospital sector,” emphasised Bernhard. “We, the scc group for healthcare, are directly involved in this process as a BBG-listed provider of the successor solution, GSH. We are providing hospitals with comprehensive support during the transition and are also offering new functions, greater flexibility and better integration between systems.”

Yet this technical transformation also presents a major opportunity: it enables us to rethink hospital IT – making it modular, secure and future-proof. “We don’t simply want to recreate the same thing all over again. We want to create systems that adapt to the needs of users, not the other way round.”

Security as the top priority

In all digitalisation initiatives, one thing remains non-negotiable: security. Hospital administration is under enormous pressure to balance efficiency, quality and speed. “Availability and reliability are not optional extras, but an absolute necessity,” says Bernhard. “A system failure is simply unthinkable – operations must be guaranteed at all times.”

Data protection is equally important. The healthcare sector deals with highly sensitive information, which is processed under strict legal requirements. “Security therefore means not only technical stability, but also the responsible handling of data. Both form the basis for trust – and trust is the most valuable asset in the healthcare sector.”

Technology as a catalyst for a more humane system

Many patients view digital transformation in hospitals with scepticism. Concerns about dehumanisation are understandable – yet unfounded if technology is used correctly. “Our aim is a more human healthcare system, supported by technology,” explained Bernhard. “One in which nursing staff can once again spend more time at the patient’s bedside, doctors can focus on diagnoses and consultations, and patients feel seen. Technology is the tool that will take us there – but it must never replace humanity.”
This attitude was also reflected in the atmosphere of the forum. In workshops, panel discussions and conversations, it became clear that the path to a ‘patient-centred healthcare system’ lies in cooperation, capacity-building and trust. Digitalisation is not an end in itself – it is an organisational principle that empowers people to work together more effectively.

Behind the scenes: exchange, inspiration and team spirit

For our team, AHF Gastein was not only an opportunity to showcase our expertise, but also an inspiring forum for exchange. Amidst panels, workshops and networking sessions, we had fascinating discussions with representatives from hospitals, government departments and technology companies.

These encounters demonstrated once again just how important our role is as bridge-builders between IT and the healthcare sector. We design systems that work – but, above all, systems that put people at the centre.

Five smiling people stand in front of a sponsor backdrop, holding a white soccer ball and a blue sign that says #eHealth. All are wearing business attire with conference lanyards.

Shaping the future together

The Austrian Health Forum Gastein 2025 has shown that Austria is ready to take the next step. Prevention, digitalisation and efficiency are not mutually exclusive, but rather the building blocks of a modern healthcare system.

Through our work at the interface between technology and care, we at the scc group for healthcare are making a decisive contribution to this. We develop solutions that simplify processes, ensure safety and preserve humanity. Because the hospital of the future will not only be digital – it will be better, safer and more humane.

You can read the full interview with Bernhard Puscha on DiePresse.com.

Towards a ‘patient-centred healthcare system’

How can technology make healthcare more human? This question was the focus of the Austrian Health Forum Gastein 2025 – and this is precisely where the scc group for healthcare was invited to contribute to the discussion. In healthcare, efficiency means not only cost control, but also trust, knowledge and time.
When digitalisation is used correctly, it creates space – for humanity, for conversation, for better care. Whether it’s SAP transformation, process design or data security: we design systems that work – and that put people at the centre.

If you, too, are facing the IS-H migration, we’d be happy to help!

more scc insights ...

back to our blog