Optimized Acute Care for Geriatric Patients Using an Intersectoral Telemedical Cooperation Network - Around the Clock

Summary

Participation Requirements

Description

The Optimal@NRW project represents a new cross-sectoral approach to the acute care and support of geriatric people in need of care through the implementation of an early warning system and the integration of a telemedical consultation system in 25 nursing homes in the region of Aachen in Germany. Th...

The Optimal@NRW project represents a new cross-sectoral approach to the acute care and support of geriatric people in need of care through the implementation of an early warning system and the integration of a telemedical consultation system in 25 nursing homes in the region of Aachen in Germany. The project focuses on restructuring emergency care in nursing homes and improving cooperation between the actors involved (emergency service, emergency department, general practitioners, nursing staff, etc.). Accordingly, a central emergency number of the statutory health insurance funds is to act as a virtual hub for the care of geriatric patients. The concrete approach of the project is that the participating nursing homes first contact the medical call centre (116 117) in case of a medical problem. The call centre is then responsible for an initial medical assessment and decides whether the respective GP can be called in or whether a teleconsultation with the "virtual digital desk" (i.e. the medical experts from the emergency department of the University Hospital RWTH Aachen) should be carried out. In addition, mobile nursing assistants (NÄPÄ (Z)) will be introduced as part of the project, who can also support the nursing staff and provide services that can be delegated by doctors - especially if the general practitioner is not available at the time. In addition, a standardised early warning system is to be established in the nursing homes and its benefits evaluated. This will enable potentially dangerous changes in the state of health of nursing home residents to be detected earlier.

Tracking Information