Vereniging voor Hygiëne & Infectiepreventie in de Gezondheidszorg

What Vereniging voor Hygiëne & Infectiepreventie in de Gezondheidszorg does

VHIG (Vereniging voor Hygiëne & Infectiepreventie in de Gezondheidszorg) is the sole Dutch professional association for infection prevention specialists (Deskundigen Infectiepreventie / DI), founded in 1973 and headquartered at Gooimeer 4-15, Naarden. The association represents infection prevention professionals working in hospitals, nursing and residential care homes, private clinics, and the Dutch public health system, and is governed by a member-elected board supported by external association management from HBB. VHIG operates as a non-profit membership body and is not a technology product company in the conventional sense; its core assets are the quality register (Kwaliteitsregister), the PE-Online continuing education platform with mobile app, the Networkapp member community portal, and the jointly developed KRIZ (Kwaliteitsrichtlijn voor Infectiepreventie in Ziekenhuizen) quality standard, currently at version 3.1.

The association's primary revenue stream is recurring annual membership dues set at €112.50 per member (2025 rate), supplemented by congress and event fees from the annual two-day VHIG Congress at Koningshof, Veldhoven, which attracts 30+ exhibitor companies and is distributed via Aanmelder.nl. Additional revenue is generated from non-member participation in VHIG-organized trainings and symposia. Member onboarding flows through direct registration via vhig.nl and through CZO-recognised training institutions (UMCG Wenckebach Instituut, UMCU, Maastricht UMC+), with aspirant members given up to three years to complete training and transition to full quality-register status. The 5-year re-registration cycle for the quality register, combined with mandatory PE-Online continuing education tracking, creates a recurring engagement model anchored in credentialing rather than transactional purchase.

Strategically, VHIG positions itself at the intersection of professional credentialing, guideline development, and outbreak surveillance. It co-develops national infection prevention standards with NVMM, participates in the Richtlijnenloket alongside FMS, LCI/RIVM, and SRI, and jointly operates the SO-ZI/AMR outbreak signalling system with RIVM and NVMM for antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Members are organized across 10 Dutch regions with elected regional representatives and a Regional Council chair. The GreenTeam Infectiepreventie initiative, launched after VHIG joined the Green Deal for Sustainable Healthcare in 2022, extends the association's scope into sustainability-in-healthcare via toolkits, position papers, and a dedicated LinkedIn channel. The association maintains knowledge partnerships with IFIC and EUNETIPS for international engagement, though its operational footprint is strictly Netherlands-domestic.

Name

Vereniging voor Hygiëne & Infectiepreventie in de Gezondheidszorg

Legal name

Vereniging voor Hygiëne & Infectiepreventie in de Gezondheidszorg

Website

https://vhig.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

VHIG is the sole Dutch professional association for infection prevention specialists (DI), founded in 1973, operating a quality register, PE-Online continuing education platform, Networkapp community portal, and annual congress to professionalize infection prevention across Dutch hospitals, care homes, and public health settings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Healthcare Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLACAOAM

Real-World Data (RWD) / Real-World Evidence (RWE) & Observational Research Platforms

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Digital Health & Health IT/Clinical Trials & Research Informatics (eCOA/ePRO/EDC)

Keywords

• Infection prevention services
• Professional association healthcare
• Continuing medical education
• Quality certification nursing
• Clinical hygiene guidelines

Headquarters

HQ city

Naarden

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: The primary revenue stream consists of annual membership fees. Regular members and aspirant members pay a yearly contribution of €112.50 per person (2025 rate). Members receive access to the quality register, accreditation, bulletins, communities, and participation rights in exchange.
2. Congress and Event Fees: Revenue generated from the annual VHIG congress (Koningshof, Veldhoven) and other symposia. The congress attracts exhibitor sponsors (standhouders) and paid participants. Exhibitors include medical device and hygiene companies.
3. Training and Symposium Participation Fees: Non-members who do not qualify for the quality register may participate in trainings, symposia, and congresses organized by VHIG for a fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

VHIG is a Dutch professional association that provides infection prevention specialists (DI) with a nationally recognized quality register (Kwaliteitsregister), accredited continuing education through PE-Online, annual congress programming, professional networking via Networkapp, and nationally co-developed quality standards such as KRIZ. Its offerings are delivered as membership services supported by digital tools, regional chapters, and a sustainability toolkit (GreenTeam Infectiepreventie).

Product overview

The VHIG is a professional association for infection prevention specialists in Dutch healthcare, established in 1973. The organization offers a digital ecosystem centered on its main website (vhig.nl) and supported by the Networkapp member portal and PE-Online continuing education system. Key services include the Kwaliteitsregister quality certification system, annual VHIG Congress conferences, and the GreenTeam Infectiepreventie sustainability initiative providing guidance toolkits. Additional offerings encompass consultancy referral services, professional education pathways through CZO-recognized institutions, and career resources including job postings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GreenTeam Infectiepreventie: GreenTeam focused on sustainability in infection prevention, working to balance infection prevention measures with sustainable healthcare practices.
• Kwaliteitsregister
• VHIG Congres
• PE-Online

Products and services

• VHIG Website (vhig.nl) The primary digital platform of the association providing information about infection prevention, professional resources, news, congress details, membership information, and access to member services.
• Kwaliteitsregister (Quality Register) A formal quality monitoring and promotion system for infection prevention specialists. Certified professionals receive a certificate valid for 5 years upon meeting quality requirements including CZO-recognized education and ongoing training.
• PE-Online A permanent education platform for infection prevention specialists to build and manage their professional dossier, track accredited points, and monitor registration status. Includes a mobile app for managing training records.
• VHIG Congres (Annual Congress) Annual national congress bringing together infection prevention specialists featuring expert presentations, exhibitions, networking opportunities, and continuing education credits.
• Networkapp VHIG Community A closed digital community platform for VHIG members containing association documents, pillar information, news, announcements, regional council data, policy documents, and direct chat functionality with colleagues nationwide.
• GreenTeam Infectiepreventie A specialized initiative promoting sustainable infection prevention practices, providing guidance documents, toolkits, webinars, and position papers on balancing infection control with environmental sustainability in healthcare.
• Consult & Advies Directory A directory of 16 independent infection prevention consultants and consultancy organizations available for hire across the Netherlands when expertise is not available within one's own organization.
• VHIG Scholing (Post-HBO Education) Post-HBO professional education and training for infection prevention specialists offered through CZO-recognized institutions (UMCG, UMCU, Maastricht UMC+), providing accreditation management and professional development pathways.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5–10% of patients admitted to Dutch hospitals acquire a healthcare-associated infection; VHIG's mission is to reduce this through professionalizing infection prevention specialists.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RIVM (Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRIVM is a key institutional partner in Dutch public health. VHIG collaborates with RIVM on outbreak signalling (SO-ZI/AMR), antibiotic resistance surveillance, and guideline development. RIVM's Centre for Infectious Disease Control works jointly with VHIG and NVMM on the SO-ZI/AMR signalling system for resistant microorganisms.
• CTGB (College ter Beoordeling van Geneesmiddelen)minorOthersListed as a partner organization on the VHIG website footer, alongside RIVM and SRI.
• SRI (Stichting Richtlijnen Infectiepreventie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRI develops infection prevention guidelines for Dutch healthcare. VHIG participates in the Richtlijnenloket (guidelines office) to review and endorse SRI guidelines, and contributes to their development.
• ZipnetminorOthersListed as a partner organization on the VHIG website. Zipnet is a network for infection prevention professionals in long-term care.
• NVMM (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Medische Microbiologie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of the KRIZ quality standard (Kwaliteitsrichtlijn voor Infectiepreventie in Ziekenhuizen, version 3.1) and co-initiation of the SO-ZI/AMR outbreak signalling system with RIVM and VHIG.
• LNAZ (Landelijk Netwerk Acute Zorg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLNAZ provides national coordination of acute care and supports the 10 regional ABR (antibiotic resistance) care networks, in partnership with VHIG and GGD GHOR.
• GGD GHOR NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGGD GHOR coordinates public health response and supports regional ABR care networks alongside VHIG and LNAZ. GGD is also a major employer of infection prevention specialists.
• CZO (College Zorgopleidingen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCZO sets quality standards and audits for healthcare education programs, including the CZO-recognized DI training. VHIG participates in the CZO commission and EPAs framework development.
• NFU / NVZ (Nederlandse Federatie van UMC / Nederlandse Vereniging van Ziekenhuizen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-commissioned the CZO Flex Level program that developed the EPA (Entrustable Professional Activities) framework for infection prevention specialist training, jointly with VHIG.
• UMCG (Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen) — Wenckebach InstituutcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCZO-recognized training provider for infection prevention specialists in the Netherlands. UMCG offers the post-HBO opleiding Hygiëne en Infectiepreventie in de Gezondheidszorg.
• UMCU (Universitair Medisch Centrum Utrecht)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCZO-recognized training provider for infection prevention specialists. UMCU offers the opleiding deskundige infectiepreventie.
• Maastricht UMC+coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCZO-recognized training provider for infection prevention specialists in the Netherlands, offering the opleiding Hygiëne en Infectiepreventie in de Gezondheidszorg.
• FMS (Federatie Medisch Specialisten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelops medical specialist guidelines including the revised (2022) FMS operating room air treatment guideline. VHIG participates in reviewing and endorsing FMS guidelines through its Richtlijnenloket.
• LCI (Landelijke Coördinatie Infectieziektebestrijding / RIVM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCI develops infectious disease control guidelines (LCI-richtlijnen) at RIVM. VHIG participates in reviewing and endorsing these guidelines through the Richtlijnenloket.
• IGJ (Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd)minorOthersDutch healthcare inspectorate. Listed as a stakeholder on the VHIG stakeholders page.
• V&VN (Verpleegkundigen & Verzorgenden Nederland)minorOthersDutch nursing association. Listed as a stakeholder on the VHIG stakeholders page.
• VILANSminorOthersKnowledge institute for long-term care. Listed as a stakeholder on the VHIG stakeholders page.
• IFIC (International Foundation for Infection Control)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational infection control network. Listed as a knowledge partner on the VHIG website alongside EUNETIPS.
• EUNETIPS (European Network for Infection Prevention)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean infection prevention network. Listed as a knowledge partner on the VHIG website alongside IFIC.
• HBB (Managementpartner voor verenigingen)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal association management company providing secretarial, financial administration, and management services to VHIG, including board and policy advisory support.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC): International umbrella organization for infection control associations, with VHIG listed as a knowledge partner. Comparable as a coordinating body that aggregates national infection prevention professionals and develops global resources.
• Verpleegkundigen & Verzorgenden Nederland (V&VN): Largest Dutch healthcare professional association covering nurses and caregivers. Broader in scope than VHIG but serves as a comparable Dutch professional association model with member services, continuing education, and policy advocacy.

Direct peers

• Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA): US society for healthcare epidemiologists focused on infection prevention research, guidelines, and training. Overlaps with VHIG's quality standard-setting and AMR surveillance functions within a research-and-policy orientation.
• Nederlandse Vereniging voor Medische Microbiologie (NVMM): Direct Dutch sister association jointly developing the KRIZ quality standard and SO-ZI/AMR outbreak signalling system with VHIG. Represents medical microbiologists — most comparable peer in mission, scope, and Dutch healthcare positioning.
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC): Largest US professional association for infection preventionists, offering certification (CIC), continuing education, and advocacy. Closest international functional peer to VHIG with similar membership, credentialing, and annual conference model.
• IPAC Canada: Canadian national infection prevention and control association offering certification, education, and member services. Direct functional peer to VHIG with similar credentialing and national chapter structure.
• Société Française d'Hygiène Hospitalière (SF2H): French national society for hospital hygiene, providing guidelines, training, and a professional community for infection prevention specialists. Closest equivalent peer in the French healthcare system.
• Infection Prevention Society (IPS): UK professional body for infection prevention practitioners, providing education, conferences, and a community for IPC practitioners. Comparable structure to VHIG as a national specialty association with credentialing and continuing education focus.
• Healthcare Infection Society (HIS): UK-based society for infection prevention and control professionals, focused on education, research, and clinical guidelines. Comparable to VHIG's role in advancing professional standards and AMR-related practice.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Krankenhaushygiene (DGKH): German professional society for hospital hygiene, serving a similar role as VHIG in Germany through guidelines, training, and professional recognition. Direct European peer with comparable mandate in hospital infection prevention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/green-team-vhig

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Vereniging voor Hygiëne & Infectiepreventie in de Gezondheidszorg