According to a study by Central Institute for Medical Care (Zi) (here as PDF), many emergency in German hospitals are hardly utilised. Thus, on average, only 1.7 patients per hour are treated in emergency room of a hospital. "Thus, lower experience and poorer personnel and technical equipment in small emergency often lead to higher complications, longer hospital stays and higher mortality rates for patients," said director of Institute, Dominik von Stillfried.

The public had impression that emergency were all over overflow, said Stillfried. Although this may well be case in some locations, "in general re can be no mention of this", according to director of Institute. With an average of less than two patients per hour, according to study, Germany is well below European comparative values. In England, for example, eleven patients per hour, in Denmark an average of ten.

A higher capacity utilization of outpatient clinics means a lower risk for patients, says Stillfried: "When it comes to life and death, supply in large emergency is much better." He referred to investigations in United States. Thus, in emergency with less than 2.3 patients per hour, mortality rates were highest.

Ambulances are overloaded on weekends

For a long time, POS doctors have seen great need for reform, especially for houses with smaller emergency. In addition to average very low occupancy rate, number of people who seek help at hospital on weekends also grew in recent years. This was result of a survey by German Federal Association (KBV).

In fact, German health system provides for people with minor complaints to contact emergency services of Insurance Association. There you will be sent to next established doctor with readiness.

The Chairman of board of KBV, Andreas Gassen, refore demands to reduce number of emergency shots in Germany. The German Hospital Society (DKG) should move away from its standpoint of wanting to receive all emergency at any price, said lanes. His association submitted proposals for close cooperation between on-call services and emergency.

Two and a half months ago, KBV and Marburg Confederation (MB) – union of physicians mostly employed in clinics – set up a reform concept for an integrated emergency care for approximately 150,000 practitioners and almost 2,000 clinics. To this end, emergency number of medical practitioners, 116117, and previous ambulance number of rescue service, 112, would need to be more closely networked. Patients should n be able to call around clock at a joint contact point and receive a qualified initial assessment according to nationwide uniform standards.

Date Of Update: 30 November 2017, 12:03