The emergency services in Germany are to be fundamentally reorganized. A reform is urgently needed, said Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) during a visit to the ADAC air rescue station in Berlin on Thursday. “The emergency services need a rescue,” said Lauterbach. The government commission on hospital reform had previously published a statement with proposed reforms for emergency care and also advocated a comprehensive reorganization.
The Commission proposes, among other things, to standardize the rescue services – so far they have been organized differently regionally – with regard to structure, performance and pay. Patients should also be helped more often on site, which would often eliminate the need for transport to the hospital. The increased use and further qualification of emergency paramedics could also increase efficiency, according to the scientists. In addition, the possibilities of telemedicine should be better used.
“Quality deficiencies that are unacceptable”
The government commission, which has also developed recommendations for reforming hospital care, also sees a need for improvement in high-quality emergency care in rural regions. The air rescue service there should be strengthened, particularly by expanding landing options and night operations. Health insurance companies should also finance the services of the control center, on-site emergency care, emergency transport and additional services such as emergency nursing care. Not only should specific assignments be paid for, but also the maintenance of the service.
Federal Health Minister Lauterbach said that emergency care was one of those areas of the health system in which necessary reforms were ten years overdue. Due to the fragmented organization, there are large differences in the quality of care, including “quality deficits that are unacceptable”. His house will soon present key points for a reorganization of the emergency services. The control centers should be given a more comprehensive coordination function than before – the type of emergency should be better assessed when it is first reported, thus reducing incorrect operations.