According to the German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO-KHC), the planned reform of emergency care in Germany will have a noticeable impact on the care of patients with acute diseases in the ENT sector. In the run-up to its annual meeting from May 13 to 16 in Ulm, the professional society warns of possible gaps in care and sees a need for coordination and training in the planned centralized structures.

The reform provides for the establishment of nationwide Integrated Emergency Centers (INZ) at selected hospitals. These are to consist of an emergency room, a KV emergency service practice and a central initial assessment office and will enable more efficient management of patients via digital networking and coordinated triage processes.

From the point of view of the DGHNO-KHC, it is critical that ENT emergencies have not yet been specifically taken into account in the planned system. Such emergencies occur frequently and can sometimes be life-threatening, for example in the case of severe bleeding, shortness of breath or pronounced infections in the head and neck area. In its statement, the professional society therefore calls for ENT expertise to be structurally and organisationally integrated into the reform.

Without clear guidance for ENT patients, there is a risk of unnecessary referrals to hospital emergency rooms or delayed detection of important findings. At the same time, the DGHNO-KHC emphasizes the potential of the reform, provided that the expertise of all medical disciplines is taken into account. In particular, the potential of digitalisation, including possible digital triage tools, must be exploited. The reform is necessary, but can only be successful if it ensures a systematic integration of specialist expertise.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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