[Current legal initiative to integrated care - effects of outpatient care in hospitals].
The strict separation of the out-patient and hospital-based health care delivery sectors in Germany leads to deficits in effectiveness and efficiency. Newly introduced legal initiatives to overcome this separation, namely "Ambulantes Operieren" (section 115 b SGB V), "Ambulante Behandlung durch Krankenhäuser" and Disease Management Programs (sections 116a-b SGB V) are described in detail in this article. Their impact on hospital-based health provision for out-patients is discussed. The aim of a better integration of different sectors with a better quality and a more efficient use of resources seems to be the target of these initiatives.
Wohlgemuth
W A
WA
Institut für Medizinmanagement und Gesundheitswissenschaften, Universität Bayreuth. w.wohlgemuth@online.de
Mayer
J
J
Nagel
E
E
Bohndorf
K
K
D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D019468:Disease Management; D005858:Germany; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care