In the future, a specially equipped truck with state-of-the-art diagnostic technology will drive to nursing homes in Saarland to enable sick residents to undergo on-site examinations and avoid hospital admissions. Saarland University and Saarland University Hospital, together with partners, have received more than eight million euros in funding from the Federal Joint Committee for the “DIKOM” model project, which is unique in Germany. The vehicle has now been presented to the public for the first time.

More than 14,000 people live in Saarland’s 160 nursing homes, many of whom have dementia or severely limited mobility. Until now, health problems in this vulnerable group have often led to hospital stays of several days for diagnosis alone. The transport and the unfamiliar environment put a considerable strain on the affected patients. The new project is intended to change this and at the same time relieve the emergency rooms of the clinics.

The vehicle, known as the “Mobile Geriatric Unit” (MGU), is equipped with a computer tomograph, X-ray and ultrasound machines, EEG, ECG and a laboratory and thus meets the standard of a clinical emergency room. It has a barrier-free treatment room, digital networking options and a powerful battery system for all-day operation. The technical implementation was largely carried out by the Homburg company A6 JUNG.

Specialists and medical-technical assistants will be on board during the missions. The data collected is to be transmitted directly and protected to specialists in radiology, internal medicine, geriatrics, neurology and orthopaedics. They evaluate the findings and make them available to family doctors and nursing teams in a timely manner so that further care can be provided in the familiar environment of the nursing home.

The three-year model project will be scientifically monitored in order to evaluate medical and economic benefits. From September, around 4,000 residents from about 50 nursing homes will initially receive the mobile diagnostics. The project sponsor is Saarland University. Among others, the Saarland Nursing Society, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, all Saarland health insurance companies and other partners are involved.

University President Ludger Santen described the DIKOM vehicle as a successful example of knowledge transfer. The project shows how high-tech diagnostics can be brought to the elderly in order to avoid stressful hospital stays. Saarland’s Minister of Science, Jakob von Weizsäcker, emphasised the importance of innovations for the care of an ageing society. State Secretary David Lindemann emphasized that the project closes an important gap in care and stands for successful cooperation in Saarland.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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