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Increasing evidence suggests that some patients suffer from persistent symptoms for months after recovery from acute COVID-19. However, the clinical phenotype and its pathogenesis remain unclear. We here present data on complaints and results of a diagnostic workup of patients presenting to the post-COVID clinic at the University Medical Center Freiburg. Retrospective data analysis of persistently symptomatic patients presenting to our clinic at least 6 months after onset of acute COVID-19. All patients were assessed by a doctor and routine laboratory analysis was carried out. Quality of life was assessed using SF-36 questionnaire. In case of specific persisting symptoms, further organ-specific diagnostic evaluation was performed, and patients were referred to respective departments/specialists. 132 Patients (58 male, 74 female; mean age 53.8 years) presented to our clinic at least 6 months after COVID-19. 79 (60 %) had been treated as outpatients and 53 (40 %) as inpatients. Most common complaints were persistent fatigue (82 %) and dyspnea on exertion (61 %). Further common complaints were impairments of concentration (54 %), insomnia (43 %), and impairments of smell or taste (35 %). Quality of life was reduced in all sections of the SF-36 questionnaire, yielding a reduced working capacity. Significant pathological findings in laboratory, echocardiographic and radiological work-up were rare. Impairments in lung function tests were more common in previously hospitalized patients. Patients presenting 6 months after onset of acute COVID-19 suffer from a diverse spectrum of symptoms with impaired quality of life, also referred to as Long COVID or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). Further research is needed to determine the frequency of these post-COVID syndromes and their pathogenesis, natural course and treatment options. Evaluation and management should be multi-disciplinary. Fortbestehende Beschwerden und ärztlich validierte Diagnosen nach COVID-19 sind bislang nicht gut definiert. Wir berichten über Symptome und Diagnostik bei Patienten in unserer COVID-19-Nachsorgeambulanz. Es erfolgte eine retrospektive Analyse der Beschwerden und Befunde bei erwachsenen Patienten nach labordiagnostisch gesicherter COVID-19-Erkrankung mit über mindestens 6 Monate fortbestehenden Beschwerden. Neben Anamnese, körperlicher Untersuchung und Labordiagnostik erfolgte eine symptomgeleitete erweiterte apparative Diagnostik. Die Lebensqualität wurde mittels SF-36-Fragebogens erfasst. 132 Patienten mit über mindestens 6 Monate persistierenden Beschwerden wurden in die Auswertung eingeschlossen (58 männlich, 74 weiblich; mittleres Alter 53,8 Jahre). 40 % der Patienten waren in der Akutphase stationär behandelt worden. Die häufigsten Beschwerden waren Fatigue (82 %), Belastungsdyspnoe (61 %), kognitive Beschwerden (54 %), Schlafstörungen (43 %) und Dysgeusie/-osmie (35 %). Die Lebensqualität war in allen im SF-36 abgefragten Bereichen eingeschränkt. Immerhin 23 % der zuvor Berufstätigen waren aus gesundheitlichen Gründen für mindestens 6 Monate arbeitsunfähig. Signifikante Pathologien in der laborchemischen und apparativen Diagnostik waren insbesondere bei ambulant behandelten Patienten dagegen selten; Lungenfunktionsstörungen waren häufiger bei ehemals stationär behandelten Patienten. Patienten nach COVID-19 berichten über vielfältige Symptome, für die häufig kein organpathologisches Korrelat gefunden werden kann. Dies geht mit Einschränkungen der Lebensqualität und Arbeitsfähigkeit, auch 6 Monate nach Akutinfektion, einher. Populationsbasierte Prävalenz, Pathogenese, Langzeitverlauf und Therapiemöglichkeiten dieses vielfach als Long COVID bezeichneten Syndroms sind weitgehend ungeklärt. Aufgrund der vielfältigen Beschwerden sollte die Patientenversorgung interdisziplinär erfolgen und vermehrt Leistungsdiagnostik und systematische neuropsychiatrische Tests beinhalten.

The new pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) poses immense challenges to health care systems worldwide. In the current manuscript we summarize the strategies, organisational approaches and actions of the Task-force Coronavirus at the University Medical Center Freiburg. We also report on experiences with implementation of these approaches and treatment outcomes in the first 115 COVID patients.Retrospective, narrative process description and analysis of the time period between end of January and beginning of April 2020, performed by representatives of the involved departments and institutes. Additionally a retrospective observational cohort study with descriptive analysis of epidemiological and clinical data of COVID patients admitted until March 31st was performed.A multidisciplinary Task-force Coronavirus initiated measures concerning outpatient testing and counseling, reorganisation and separation of patient flow processes alongside with substantial escalation of inpatient capacities on regular wards and intensive care units. Within the framework of the resulting dynamic care model, 115 patients suffering from COVID could be treated without shortages in staff or bed capacities.In the upcoming pandemic, adequate COVID management and care could be secured by a collaborative approach with inclusion of administrative departments, clinical disciplines and theoretical institutes of the University Medical Center Freiburg.Das neue, pandemische Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 und die damit einhergehende Erkrankung COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) stellt die medizinischen Versorgungssysteme vor große Herausforderungen. Die vorliegende Arbeit fasst die Strategie, Organisation und Maßnahmen der COVID-Taskforce des Universitätsklinikums Freiburg zusammen und berichtet über Erfahrungen und Behandlungsergebnisse von der Versorgung der ersten 115 COVID-19-Patienten.Retrospektive, narrative Prozessbeschreibung und -analyse des Zeitraums Ende Januar bis Anfang April 2020, durchgeführt unter Mitwirken der beteiligten Departments, Kliniken und Institute des Universitätsklinikums Freiburg. Ergänzend erfolgte eine retrospektive Beobachtungsstudie mit deskriptiver statistischer Auswertung der epidemiologischen und klinischen Daten aller bis 31. März 2020 hospitalisierten COVID-19-Patienten.Durch eine interdisziplinär zusammengesetzte Taskforce Coronavirus wurden Maßnahmen in den Bereichen ambulante Testung und Beratung, Separierung der Patientenströme sowie Eskalation der Versorgungskapazitäten auf Normal- und Intensivstationen im Sinne eines dynamischen Stufenmodells angeregt und umgesetzt. Die Versorgung der ersten 115 Patienten gelang somit ohne Entstehung von Engpässen.Durch Zusammenwirken sämtlicher Disziplinen und Abteilungen des Universitätsklinikums Freiburg konnte eine adäquate Versorgung von COVID-19-Patienten sichergestellt und die Handlungsfähigkeit des Klinikums in der aktuellen Ausbruchsituation erhalten werden.

Few guidelines for health care of refugees exist in Germany. Screening as a part of initial health checks as well as general organisation of early health care for refugees is very heterogenous across different regions. Current experience will be relevant to develop integrated health care models. Prevention and care of infectious diseases are an important part of early health care for refugees, even if non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions should also be considered in every effort to design early health care models. We are presenting a pragmatic review of current evidence for prevention and care of tuberculosis, HIV, chronic viral hepatitis and other infectious diseases. More evidence is needed to assess morbidity and efficacy of early health care interventions and integrated care models in refugees.

There is no agreement about the frequency of nosocomial infections and infections caused by multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO) in Germany. The aim of this review is to generate updated estimates of the national burden of these infections and to discuss them in an international context. The most important sources of this analysis are the data of the national prevalence studies conducted in various European countries and in the U.S. It can be assumed that there are between 400,000 and 600,000 patients with nosocomial infections each year in Germany. The mortality attributable to them is between 6000 and 15,000 patients. About 30,000 to 35,000 patients develop nosocomial infections caused by MDRO. Currently there are no robust data how many patients die each year because of MDRO infections. According to the best available estimate, the annual number may be between 1000 and 4000 cases. The problems of nosocomial infections and the increase of antimicrobial resistance are highly relevant and should not be belittled. However, an overestimation of this dangerous trend may lead to inappropriate use of limited resources.

This study describes neuropsychiatric side effects in patients after treatment with mefloquine. Reactions consisted mainly of seizures, acute psychoses, anxiety neurosis, and major disturbances of sleep-wake rhythm. Side effects occurred after both therapeutic and prophylactic intake and were graded from moderate to severe. In a risk analysis of neuropsychiatric side effects in Germany, it is estimated that one of 8,000 mefloquine users suffers from such reactions. The incidence calculation revealed that one of 215 therapeutic users had reactions, compared with one of 13,000 in the prophylaxis group, making the risk of neuropsychiatric reactions after mefloquine treatment 60 times higher than after prophylaxis. Therefore, certain limitations for malaria prophylaxis and treatment with mefloquine are recommended.