Wir überwinden Grenzen

Central point of contact for emergency patients / combination of emergency room, private practice and KV emergency practice / aim: shorter waiting times and relief for the emergency room

On October 18, 2023, a model location for the care of acute patients in Freiburg was opened at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. It is now the central point of contact for acute patients within walking distance of the University Medical Center. The concept was developed in close cooperation between the emergency department, a contract doctor's practice and the emergency practice of the Baden-Württemberg Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVBW). Incoming patients are assessed by specially trained specialist staff at the University Hospital before they are formally registered and a decision is made as to whether they should be treated at the University Emergency Center or by a GP.

During the week, this takes place during the day in the practice of a physicians in private practice, which is also located on the hospital's premises, and in the evening and night hours as well as at weekends and on public holidays in the emergency practice of the Baden-Württemberg Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

The aim of the close cooperation in terms of space and content is to relieve the emergency room and manage patients with minor complaints. The model location is in Sir-Hans-A.-Krebs-Straße next to the previous entrance to the University Emergency Center.

"Until now, patients have decided whether they need treatment at the emergency center. In future, this decision will be made by specially trained medical staff," says Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Busch, Head of the Emergency Department at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. "By carrying out the initial assessment before registration, incorrect registrations and bureaucracy caused by referrals can be avoided," says Busch.

Adapting healthcare to the needs of society

In 2022, more than 52,000 emergency treatments were carried out at the University Medical Center's Emergency Center, with a rising trend for 2023. In recent years, the care of slightly ill or injured patients at the Emergency Center has increased. At the same time, centralized care for serious cases in the region is being concentrated on fewer and fewer shoulders.

"By establishing the model location, we are taking social changes into account. The Freiburg concept is characterized by the fact that it creates a clear and uniform point of contact for acute case patients of all kinds around the clock. We manage patient flows across sectors, have close communication between the private practice and hospital sectors and enable the emergency department to concentrate on the serious cases," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

Outpatient care is provided during consultation hours by a contract doctor's practice and outside of consultation hours by the KV emergency practice. From midnight to 8 a.m., the University Medical Center takes over this area. "The new process at the model location enables even more intensive cooperation between the regular practices and emergency facilities," says Dr. Doris Reinhardt, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Baden-Württemberg Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

"It is important that the model location can and should only be a supplement to GP care in an emergency. If possible, the first point of contact should continue to be the GP," emphasizes Busch.

Emergency patients who are brought by the ambulance service will continue to be treated directly at the University Emergency Center.