Simulation möglicher Auswirkungen des Krankenhausversorgungsverbesserungsgesetzes (KHVVG) auf die stationäre Versorgung in der HNO-Heilkunde

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Stephan Lang - , University Hospital Essen (Author)
  • Thomas K Hoffmann - , Ulm University Medical Center (Author)
  • Thomas Deitmer - , German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Martin Jäckel - , Helios Klinikum Schwerin (Author)
  • Steffen Rohwer - , Lohfert & Lohfert AG (Author)
  • Stefan Mattheis - , University Hospital Essen (Author)
  • Timo Stöver - , University Hospital Frankfurt (Author)
  • Nicole Rotter - , Universitätsmedizin Mannheim (Author)
  • Thomas Zahnert - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Jens Peukert - , Lohfert & Lohfert AG (Author)

Abstract

A fundamental hospital reform is urgently needed due to the existing shortage of specialists, postpandemic productivity changes, and increasing financial deficits faced by hospitals in Germany. Starting from a hospital reform initiated in North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW), the so-called Hospital Care Improvement Act ("Krankenhausversorgungsverbesserungsgesetz", KHVVG) was launched at the federal level with the aim of ensuring more adequate funding, safeguarding and improving treatment quality, and reducing bureaucracy. This was passed by the Federal Council and officially came into force on 1 January 2025. For the specialty of Otorhinolaryngology, two categories-general ENT and cochlear implants-were selected for future hospital planning. The new law also established minimum physician requirements (e.g., 3 full-time physicians including 24/7 on-call duty) and defines so-called "oncological capping" as well as minimum number of cases for each defined entity. These measures are expected to lead to significant changes in the hospital landscape, including centralization of highly specialized services, with potential implications for specialist training. In summary, the KHVVG will ultimately alter patient care, thus, requiring flexible adaptation processes, which will be supported by professional societies. For this reason, we have simulated and discussed the effects of the KHVVG on our field to better assess possible consequences and initiate adjustment processes at an early stage.

Translated title of the contribution
Simulation of possible effects of the Hospital Care Improvement Act on inpatient care in ENT medicine

Details

Original languageGerman
Pages (from-to)714-723
Number of pages10
JournalHNO
Volume73
Issue number10
Early online date28 May 2025
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-3894-1175/work/185317288
Scopus 105007090066

Keywords