title: [Interim results for the Patients' Rights Act and Infection Protection Act].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Patient Rights Act has converted court rulings into legal paragraphs. Two new aspects have been introduced: the duty to hand over a copy of the signed written consent form to the patient (in which detailed recommendations are offered) and the obligation of a thorough documentation of findings and treatments within patient files. In addition the legislators, through the Joint Federal Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss, GBA) have made the introduction of clinical risk management mandatory. The Infection Protection Act and its regulations have elevated the prerequisites of hygiene within hospitals and private practices with a parallel increase in liability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both laws and regulations offer no reference as to who (and to what extent) is financially responsible for the excessive increase in personnel costs, which are as yet not included in the German diagnosis-related groups (G-DRG) system. Despite all additional measures within the area of risk management, mistakes (avoidable or unavoidable) will nevertheless occur. In order to avoid longstanding legal battles the authors recommend an open and rapid communication with the patient and family. The wall of silence should be a thing of the past.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Abteilung für Allgemeine Chirurgie, Viszeral-, Thorax- und Gefäßchirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Ferdinand-Sauerbruch-Str., 17475, Greifswald, Deutschland, heidecke@uni-greifswald.de.
authors.forename: C-D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Heidecke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaklin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Konradt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mangold
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sänger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Siebert
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012308:Risk Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence