Hesse in a state of emergency: Urgent reform of emergency care required!

Hesse in a state of emergency: Urgent reform of emergency care required!

In the Federal Republic of Germany, emergency care is perceived as an urgent problem. As the FAZ Reportedly, many patients have difficulty distinguishing between acute emergencies and less serious complaints. The emergency services are often called even though there is no medical emergency. These uncertainties lead to patients often calling 112, which not only puts a strain on the system but is also costly.

A small-scale and therefore cumbersome system of rescue control centers in Hesse is another factor that makes emergency care inefficient. In addition, inadequate digitalization has acted as a further brake. The exchange of patient data and the request for emergency vehicles are often not optimally regulated, which leads to delays in many regions. A health insurance company test report that has existed for years describes these problematic processes very clearly.

Reform approaches and digital solutions

In his latest statement, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach presented reform proposals to improve the health sector. According to the Heise A central control center is to be introduced that offers telemedical consultations around the clock. This new regulation stipulates that patients can receive an emergency appointment within ten minutes.

An integrated system of emergency centers and specialized control centers could improve the accessibility and quality of help. This also includes the use of video telephony systems for communication about emergencies. Pharmacies could play a central role by enabling access to digital offerings for those who do not have their own access.

Challenges and savings potential

The challenges in emergency care cannot be dismissed. The Economic service mentions the precarious state of emergency medicine and the fact that many of the reform initiatives from recent years have failed. With the number of operations increasing by 75% between 2010 and 2021, the pressure on existing structures must inevitably grow.

The statutory health insurance associations and experts are therefore calling for a significant redesign of the existing systems in order to ensure more efficient emergency care. A central point for emergency numbers could serve as a solution in this context. Although high investments would be necessary to convert the system, the health insurance companies hope to save up to several million euros by introducing a central virtual rescue control center in Hesse.

Overall, Germany is facing a massive upheaval in the health system. The reforms could not only revolutionize emergency medicine, but also take the entire hospital system in a new direction. One goal always remains to increase quality, efficiency and safety in emergency care - with a clear focus on the needs of patients.