health - Quick Help - What Patients Should Do in Case of Emergency
With the reform of emergency care in Germany, things are expected to change significantly for patients. For acute complaints, the emergency department is currently the first point of contact for many people, especially on weekends or in the evening. There, stress and long waiting times are common. The reform by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) is planned to be discussed in parliament. For insured individuals:
Where should one go in an acute situation?
Two innovations will be introduced for this: In emergency call centers, patients will receive an initial assessment under a nationwide number. They can be reached at 116 117. Nationwide, so-called integrated emergency centers are also to be built, some of which will also be for children and adolescents. In the emergency centers, the emergency department of the hospital is combined with an urgent care practice.
What should be done if one fears an immediate need for treatment?
There will be several options in the future, but the telephone option will be significantly expanded. At 116 117, one can receive an initial assessment in 75% of cases within three minutes, or it will only take a little longer. Patients can be directed to the nearest emergency center by the experts on the phone. If the case turns out to be an emergency, it should be redirected to 112 so that an ambulance can be dispatched. Telemedicine doctors and nurses can be consulted for an assessment. The telephone consultation is expected to prevent unnecessary emergency room visits. The emergency call centers will be linked to appointment scheduling offices: Doctor's visits can then be directed to the phone. Anyone who lands at the emergency center via 116 117 should get there faster.
What is special about the emergency centers?
At the reception desk of the integrated emergency centers (INZ), there will be an initial assessment: Where should those in need of help go next - to the emergency room or a nearby urgent care practice? Health Minister Lauterbach's declared goal: Patients should be treated there where it is best and fastest. The INZ should be distributed throughout the country so that at least one is always easily accessible. The opening hours of the affiliated urgent care practices: open every evening until 9 pm - also on weekends and holidays.
What happens if the case is assessed as mild?
The doctor or nurse can assess telephonically or via video that a practice or clinic visit is not necessary. In such a case, an electronic prescription or an electronic sick note can also be issued.
Why the reform?
Emergency rooms and emergency services are often at their limits. Every third person in an emergency room, according to the assessment of the Health Ministry, could have been better treated in a practice. This is also due to the fact that many simply do not know what to do when they suddenly need medical help at night or on weekends. Many end up with the emergency services and eventually end up in the hospital.
What do the doctors say?
The House Doctors' Association warned against the failure of the reform - because there is a lack of personnel, and "parallel structures" are to be set up. The Kassenaerztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV) praised positive initiatives. The KBV doubted the full feasibility due to a lack of personnel - just as for the expansion of home visits.
Vice-Chief of the GKV-Spitzenverband, Stefanie Stoff-Ahnis, praised the proposals - "The Emergency Law contains many correct starting points to improve the care for our insured persons." The health funds also issued a warning to Lauterbach: The Kassenaerztliche Vereinigungen should not be presented with unsolvable personnel problems. Stoff-Ahnis welcomed the planned requirement for the Kassenaerztliche Vereinigungen to uniformly provide information on doctors' consultation hours online nationwide.
Which laws does Lauterbach still have in the cabinet?
Several proposals from the Health Ministry are expected to be decided by the cabinet this Wednesday. Different from today, kidney donations should be possible between two pairs in the future. To strengthen preventive health measures, a new federal authority, the Bundesinstitut fuer Prevention und Aufklarung in der Medizin (BIPAM), is planned to start on January 1, 2025. Parts of the Robert Koch-Institut and the Bundeszentrale fuer gesundheitliche Aufklaerung will merge into it. To drive digitalization in healthcare forward, the existing so-called gematik is to be expanded into a Digital Agency.
- In acute situations, it's recommended to call 116 117, where an initial assessment will be conducted.
- The reform plans include building nationwide integrated emergency centers, some of which will cater to children and adolescents.
- At the integrated emergency centers, patients will receive an initial assessment upon arrival, directing them to either the emergency room or an urgent care practice.
- If the assessment indicates a mild case, an electronic prescription or sick note can be issued, avoiding a hospital visit.
- The reform aims to address the overload of emergency rooms and services, as many patients could be better treated in urgent care practices during non-peak hours.
- The proposed changes in emergency care laws are currently under discussion in parliament, including the possibility of kidney donations between two pairs and the establishment of a new federal authority for preventive health measures.
