Revolution in healthcare: Every fourth procedure will be an outpatient procedure in the future!

Revolution in healthcare: Every fourth procedure will be an outpatient procedure in the future!

On the pulse of health care reform in Germany: Former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has decided to significantly reform the hospital landscape. The aim is to increase the number of outpatient procedures, which is generating great interest among healthcare stakeholders. According to an analysis by the Brandenburg Ministry of Economics in cooperation with the Iges Institute, 26 to 27 percent of medical procedures in the Teltow-Fläming and Dahme-Spreewald regions could already be carried out on an outpatient basis in the future. The data comes from interviews with regional health experts as well as the Federal Statistical Office and the health insurance companies, which means the results are well founded. For many patients in the region, this represents a step towards more efficient and often less stressful treatment options.

The analysis shows that the Lausitz-Spreewald supply area in particular has great potential. In the areas of urology, interventional cardiology and neurology, the proportion of outpatient treatments could even be up to 40%. General surgery accounts for 34%, internal medicine 30% and gynecology 26%. However, pediatric and adolescent medicine remains a rather challenging area, where only around 4% of cases can be treated on an outpatient basis.

From major procedures and time in the clinic

By 2026, experts expect that common procedures such as appendectomy or gallbladder removal will be able to be performed without an overnight stay in the hospital. Even though patients remain for observation for a few hours after the procedure, the ability to return home soon is considered a major step forward. However, Boris Woldemar von Engelhardt, chief physician for orthopedics and trauma surgery at the Ludwigsfelde Evangelical Hospital, explains that a clear separation between outpatient and inpatient treatment does not always make sense and that inpatient admission should be available if necessary.

The follow-up care is then carried out by practicing doctors, although this could be a challenge given the different billing systems. In particular, making appointments for specialists in the region could encounter difficulties.

The big questions of financing

At a time when healthcare in Germany is considered to be of high quality, but is faced with challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers, demographic change and cost pressure, the next steps are even more crucial. As stated in the coalition agreement between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP, the aim is to increase the expansion of outpatient medical services. The main focus is on equal remuneration across sectors, also known as hybrid DRG, in order to sustainably improve care. The medical benefits of outpatient treatment are already evident in the awareness of cost-effective, faster and less stressful treatment options.

According to the health market, around 9% of fully inpatient cases nationwide are potentially suitable for outpatient treatment, with the age group from 0 to 19 years being particularly popular at 24%. An international comparison also shows that Germany lags behind other countries such as Italy and Spain in the area of ​​outpatient care. Interestingly, almost half of hospital cases in 2018 took place with a maximum of one overnight stay and the trend towards outpatient treatment is becoming increasingly clear.

Future trends in healthcare

A look at the numbers shows that the trend towards outpatient care in the departments is clear. While 80% of treatments in ophthalmology are already carried out on an outpatient basis, the figures for plastic surgery are around 31% and for urology 24%. The focus on the increase in outpatient surgery centers cannot be overlooked either.

In summary, it can be said: The health care reform under Lauterbach could significantly relieve both patients and the existing health care structures. However, the implementation of these reforms will also depend on important financial issues surrounding reimbursement and the link between outpatient and inpatient treatment. The next chapter in German healthcare is promising and offers great opportunities, but it will be exciting to see how the challenges are overcome.

For further information on the details of outpatient care and its health policy significance, you can read the articles from maz-online.de, aerzteblatt.de and gesundheitsmarkt.de visit.