The Brain Behind Innovation in Havířov
44 ǀ POSITIV MAN
What technologies are you using in your hospital?
How important is innovation in your operations?
We‘re actively developing telemedicine projects –
remote patient monitoring allows for quicker responses
to changes in health status. We‘re introducing chatbots
for fast communication with patients, a system to track
ambulance arrivals at the emergency department,
and AI tools for detecting hospital-acquired infections
as well as for analysing ECGs and radiological
images. One of our newest projects is a mobile AI
app that enables rapid ECG analysis from a paper
printout – you simply take a photo with your phone,
and within seconds the system provides the doctor
with a diagnostic recommendation. This technology
is already being used by emergency services and is
helping to improve patient triage.
We were also the first hospital in Europe to participate
in the certification of the CAREBOT system for
evaluating chest X-rays. We played a key role in the
final pre-certification phase, helping to fine-tune
the algorithms and verify accuracy.
But it‘s not just about individual technologies. We‘ve
established an innovation hub because the pressure
to introduce new technologies in hospitals is immense
– several times a week we’re contacted by both
startups and established companies with tech offers.
To maintain quality and avoid adopting every novelty
without proper assessment, we‘ve set clear evaluation
criteria. Each project is assessed in terms of clinical,
organisational, and economic benefits.
Havířov Hospital has also been entrusted with
coordinating innovation activities across the Moravian-
Silesian Region. In collaboration with other regional
hospitals, we evaluate new technologies, run pilot tests,
or reject them outright if they don‘t make sense. In this
area, we‘re leading the way – not just as a healthcare
provider but also with the status of a research
institution, similar to university hospitals. Our aim is to
set the standard for implementing innovation, not only
in our region.
We‘re also thinking about the everyday patient. It‘s easy
to get lost in Czech hospitals, so we‘re implementing
navigation using QR codes – over 130 of them will
be installed. Once scanned via an app, the route to the
destination appears on the patient‘s screen, and if they
get lost, they can be guided again. It‘s simple and user-
friendly, even for older generations.
How do you manage the hospital team today?
I‘m not someone who just stands by. I believe
in strategic and project-based management. When
I first took on the role, we created a strategy for
2030, which we regularly update. Initially, I operated
more like a soloist – everything was in my head
and I worked intensively. Today, teamwork, delegation,
and meticulous organisation are key for me.
How do you spend your free time?
Definitely with my family – with my daughter and young
son. I unwind through sport; I love cycling and ski
mountaineering. What I enjoy about cycling is its
dynamism and strategy, which is why I‘m fascinated
by the Tour de France.
Do you support sports activities within the hospital
as well?
Yes, we organise charity runs and rides to support
children with serious illnesses. Every kilometre run
or cycled is converted into money that helps families
going through difficult times. It‘s less about sport itself
and more about engaging the public and promoting
a healthy life philosophy.
If you could introduce one innovation tomorrow that
would transform healthcare, what would it be?
Eliminating the administrative burden on healthcare
professionals. A technology that could efficiently
record all procedures and allow doctors and nurses
to spend more time with patients would be a complete
game changer.
Who has inspired you professionally?
I’ve never had one clear role model. But I benchmark
my path against great management figures like Baťa.
My greatest inspiration, though, was my father –
a tough manager who taught me to see things through
and never sweep problems under the rug.
Thank you for the interview.
I’m not someone who just stands by.
I believe in strategic
and project-based management.