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Against the background of the altered health care framework and its new challenges, the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) has initiated a review of its approach to in- and outpatient treatment. The ultimate goal of this review is a strengthening of quality- and demand-oriented structures, while maintaining the principles proven in the past. To achieve this aim, a draft paper outlining the main points is to be approved and stepwise implemented. The most relevant points, such as establishing treatment structures tailored to meet health care needs, adapting the process by which patients are treated according to type of injury, the possibilities for trauma networks as well as hospitals which fall under the auspices of the German Employers’ Liability Insurance Association, establishing quality assurance systems and developing rehabilitation management are all discussed in the present article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medical treatments consistently used for decades by the German statutory accident insurance need to be adapted to new conditions arising from changes in healthcare, health economy, health policy, as well as changing economical and socio-political perspectives. These changes, however, should not affect quality of care. The key issue paper published by the German statutory Insurance on the adjustment of healthcare in statutory accident insurance is intended to be a guideline for the development of concrete concepts. Following a short discourse on the outset position, the current article presents some of the changes discussed in the key issue paper, such as authorized medical examinations and the inclusion of other service providers, the introduction of a continuous quality assurance system and implementation of the changes in the area of healthcare system physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade the Isernhagen functional capacity evaluation (FCE) has been increasingly implemented in the rehabilitation management of statutory accident insurance. This comprehensive kinesiophysical work-related test assesses an individual's physical ability to do a specific job or activity and aids in developing a safe return to work program. Recent developments implemented special musculoskeletal training programs aiming at returning to work in a safe and timely manner. A shorter screening FCE procedure provides specific information on the relationship between the critical demands of a job and the individual's physical capabilities. The present paper discusses these developments within the context of the German statutory accident insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to demographic changes in the population, we are facing an annual increase in femoral neck fractures in geriatric patients. The paper discusses the treatment modalities of hip fractures in this patient group, with particular regard to bipolar and total hip alloarthroplasty according to the current literature and taking the existing guidelines of the German statutory accident insurance (DGU) into consideration. We also discuss the use of cemented or cementless stems in the endoprosthetic care of these fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The certification procedure of the Trauma Network of the German Trauma Society (DGU) addresses the important and very current topic of comprehensive management of seriously injured patients. The basic idea of the concept is to establish and certify regional networks with the aim of optimizing the existing processes and broadening and institutionalizing cooperation between the participating trauma centers. To be able to proactively confront the challenges, hospitals from neighboring countries are joining in the nationwide project of the DGU. The certification procedure is carried out by the certification company DIOcert GmbH based in Mainz in close cooperation with the DGU and the AKUT Agency (Working Group on Implementing the White Paper/Trauma Network of the DGU). The certification company DIOcert GmbH is significantly involved in the process from the point of receiving the contract and assessing the checklists of the participating hospitals to coordinating the specially trained DGU auditors, performing the audit and certifying the entire Trauma Network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]