The new inpatient regulations 2015. Development from the perspective of the National Association of Accident Insurance Consultants (BDD)

Background. Since 1 January 2014 the new inpatient regulations of the German workers compensation assurance (DGUV) have been in force; however, as of 1 April 2015 not all hospitals are certified for participation in the severe injuries type procedure (SAV). Some hospitals are certified under the proviso that the necessary conditions will be fulfilled. It is unknown how many patients are transferred to an SAV category hospital and how the regulations are accepted. Survey. A questionnaire with 10 questions was distributed to the heads of departments involved in the accident insurance consultant procedure (DAV), the injury type procedure (VAV) and the SAV concerning the impact of the new situation on emergency and further treatment of patients in the various treatment categories. A response was obtained from a total of 331 heads of department. Results. Most patients involved in occupational accidents during working hours and on the way to work were treated in DAV hospitals. On average 36 patients with severe in-juries were treated in SAV hospitals in 2014. The proportion of patients transferred to SAV hospitals was relatively low. On average 9 patients were transferred from 64 DAV hospitals to SAV hospitals per year and 4 patients were transferred from 58 VAV hospitals. Most of the patients were not transferred. According to 102 answers from the survey respondents problems were encountered in an average of 2 cases when patients were transferred and in 4 cases in the financial remuneration. Only 20 % of the 131 respondents saw a personnel or structural advantage from the new regulations. From the individual comments it was clear that a DGUV document is needed in cases of patient transfer and that the financing is still an unsolved problem under the new regulations.