[Integrated Health Care in cardiology: substitution or addition of new tools?].
On the basis of broad statistical information about procedures and operations in German cardiology, the author discusses probable and already evident effects of emerging Integrated Health Care projects. Among those expectations, possibly a new group of services will emerge that adds rather than substitutes already existing services. By this effect no cost-containment, which is one of the legislative purposes for Integrated Health Care, will be achievable. Besides this pessimistic view, Integrated Health Care in cardiology has the potential to allocate financial funds in a more appropriate way than it is presently usual. For example, procedures that can be performed in outpatients, no longer need to be performed on inpatients for the only reason that hospitals are not entitled to do outpatient services.
Bruckenberger
E
E
Hitzackerweg 1a, 30625 Hannover. ernst@bruckenberger.de
D002309:Cardiology / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D003363:Cost Control; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans