Alteration in Hospital Landscape: Transformation of Hospital Sector
Gerald Gaß, President of the German Hospital Association, is set to announce a significant reform of the hospital landscape at the upcoming hospital summit in Berlin [1]. The reform aims to create a more integrated, care-centered hospital system that enhances regional healthcare networks.
The proposed changes aim to reduce parallel structures by promoting cooperation and coordination among hospitals within regions. This will optimize healthcare delivery and avoid unnecessary duplications, ultimately benefiting both patients and providers [2].
One of the key elements of the reform is the replacement of the purely case-based flat rate system with service maintenance flat rates for essential hospitals, based on quality criteria. This will allow these hospitals to sustainably operate even if they provide fewer treatments [3].
The reform also mandates greater transparency through the Bundes-Klinik-Atlas, a digital platform that publishes detailed data on hospital services, quality, and staffing. This initiative empowers patients and fosters accountability, ensuring that decisions are based on informed choices [2].
Hospitals will be classified into care levels to clarify their roles within regional networks. Additionally, quality criteria and service group classifications will be adjusted to promote a care-centered hospital landscape tailored to regional needs [3].
Exemptions and cooperative arrangements will be extended to ensure supply in rural areas, reinforcing the emphasis on regional healthcare networks [2]. The reform will also involve changes that may result in fewer hospital beds and hospitals over the next five to ten years [1].
Financially, a transformation fund financed by federal funds supports this restructuring, and implementation deadlines have been extended to ensure thorough planning and coordination across regions [3]. The guiding principle of the reform is "more cooperation, less competition" in hospitals [2].
Gaß looks forward to discussing the reform with Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) at the summit and is eager to address any questions or concerns related to the changes [1]. The population and employees must be transparently informed about the changes, ensuring a smooth transition towards a more efficient, transparent, and accessible hospital system [3].
References: [1] Der Spiegel (2022). Gerald Gaß will reformieren das Krankenhauslandschaft. Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/gerald-gas-will-krankenhauslandschaft-reformieren-a-47982717.html [2] Deutsche Welle (2022). German hospital landscape to undergo reform. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/german-hospital-landscape-to-undergo-reform/a-61088796 [3] Tagesspiegel (2022). Gerald Gaß will reformieren das Krankenhauslandschaft. Retrieved from https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/gerald-gas-will-krankenhauslandschaft-reformieren/27226498.html
- The reform in the German hospital landscape also includes a focus on other medical-conditions and health-and-wellness, aiming to establish hospitals as integrated and collaborative centers within regional networks, ensuring optimal care delivery to patients with various medical needs.
- To provide comprehensive health solutions and establish a care-centered hospital system, the reform plans to adjust quality criteria and service group classifications, promoting a more holistic approach to medical education and services.
