Rhineland-Palatinate launches 24/7 teleemergency doctor system for better emergency care!

Rhineland-Palatinate launches 24/7 teleemergency doctor system for better emergency care!

Rhineland-Palatinate has taken a big step in emergency care: a nationwide, state-wide teleemergency doctor system is now available around the clock. This was announced yesterday by Interior Minister Michael Ebling, who described the commissioning as a “new era of emergency care”. With this system, medical expertise becomes available anytime and anywhere, regardless of whether it is day or night, weather or location.

The teleemergency doctor system is intended not only to sustainably strengthen the rescue service, but also to significantly improve patient care. Emergency paramedics can now call in a digitally connected emergency doctor who can make diagnoses and advise the paramedics directly. Communication takes place via modern audio, video and data transmissions, which enables precise and fast support. This is especially important in rural areas where every minute counts.

Background on teleemergency doctors and emergency medicine

As part of the digitalization of emergency medicine, the introduction of the teleemergency doctor system is a crucial component. Statistics show that around 13.4 million rescue service operations took place in 2023, as well as around 12.4 million outpatient emergency treatments in hospitals. Since emergency medicine is often a matter of urgency - for example in the case of heart attacks or strokes - a quick response is essential. The aim is to have patients in a clinic within 60 minutes of the emergency call, and treatment should even take place within 30 minutes.

But the reality is often different. Delays in treatment can significantly increase mortality. An example shows that a patient with a heart attack needed a total of over two hours to be transferred to the cardiac catheter laboratory. Digital technologies can significantly improve this process. Care could be made more efficient through the use of smartwatches, video emergency calls and the transmission of patient data in real time.

Current developments in the teleemergency doctor system

The operational pilot operation of the teleemergency doctor system was started on July 13, 2023 at the BG accident clinic in Ludwigshafen. On October 1, 2024, the Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy in Trier was added and has since then provided teleemergency services 12 hours a day. Now, since October 2025, the University Medical Center Mainz and the Westpfalz-Klinikum Kaiserslautern are also part of the system. At this point, basic care for patients is significantly improved, especially in parallel deployment situations that pose particular challenges.

The Interior Minister emphasizes the importance of these technological developments at a time when rapid, efficient assistance can be crucial. The teleemergency doctor system is continually being developed and scientifically evaluated to always ensure the best possible care. At a time when technical support is of great relevance, Rhineland-Palatinate shows that innovative solutions in emergency medicine are not only possible, but also urgently necessary.

This step sets a new standard in patient safety and working conditions for emergency services and paves the way for a digital future in emergency services. Digitalization has the potential to not only revolutionize emergency medicine, but also to strengthen public services.

You can find more information here: Weekly Mirror, daily news and Fraunhofer IESE.