According to experts, the emergency rooms in hospitals could be relieved through better cooperation with medical practices. This emerges from a feasibility study at the Rosenheim Clinic, which was accompanied by the University of Bayreuth and was presented on Monday. In July 2021, specialists classified 1724 patients after their arrival at the clinic. Depending on the urgency, they were either sent directly to the emergency room or, after a reassessment, referred to on-call practices or contract doctors outside the clinic.
“This staged procedure is an important first step towards improving patient safety and relieving the emergency departments of less serious cases,” said Michael Bayeff-Filloff, chief physician of the central emergency department at the Rosenheim Clinic. “Overall, around three quarters of those seeking help were treated by the emergency room, and one quarter by contract doctors.” Some had also used the offer of video consultation hours.
Dominik von Stillfried from the Central Institute for Statutory Health Insurance Physicians also referred to the offer of video consultations that some patients had used. This could further relieve emergency rooms and reduce waiting times. The chairman of the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Wolfgang Krombholz, called for a nationwide framework to improve cooperation between clinics and resident doctors. Depending on the region, tailor-made solutions are needed. The conditions in the emergency rooms and in the contract medical care in the region are different. In addition, the legislature must create an appropriate financial basis for such offers from panel doctors.