Structures and performance characteristics of dermatology hospitals in Germany. Current status and long‐term development

Abstract

Summary Background The objective of the study was to characterize the performance of German dermatology hospitals. Methods A structured survey questionnaire was sent out to all dermatology hospitals in October 2019 as part of a cross‐sectional analysis based on health care research. Results Of the 115 hospitals, 95 (82.6 %) responded, including 34 (35.8 %) university hospitals (UC) and 61 (64.2 %) non‐university hospitals (NUC), of which 78 % were urban (43 % UC, 57 % NUC) and 22 % rural (10 % UC, 90 % NUC). The dermatology departments comprised an average of 45 inpatient and 11 day‐care beds (UC: 52/13, NUC: 40/9). An average of 2,302 inpatients were cared for in 2018 (UC: 2,874, NUC: 1,983), and the case mix index was 0.76 (UC: 0.74, NUC: 0.77, overall range: 0.40–0.96). Mean length of stay was 5.5 days for UC, relevantly lower than 2013 (5.9 days) and 2011 (7.1 days) data, and also significantly lower for NUC at 5.9 (2018) versus 5.1 days (2013). Conclusions German dermatology hospitals continue to have a high volume of inpatient care, with a comparison of the last six years again showing a compression with shorter length of stay and higher occupancy density. Dermatological hospitals represent an essential pillar of dermatological care.

Effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on inpatient skin surgery in Germany: results of the DESSI‐survey

“…However, 2 years after the beginning of the pandemic (1st quarter of 2022), restrictions in inpatient care were still noticeable in dermatology wards, which have not yet fully recovered from the effects of these restrictions. However, dermatology clinics represent an essential pillar of dermatological care in Germany 31 . Since the restriction of dermatological patient care demonstrably results in inadequate treatment of many dermatological manifestations (including, but not limited to, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma), 21,32 it is hoped that inpatient dermatology and dermatosurgery will soon recover completely from the pandemic‐related measures.…”

“…However, dermatology clinics represent an essential pillar of dermatological care in Germany. 31 Since the restriction of dermatological patient care demonstrably results in inadequate treatment of many dermatological manifestations (including, but not limited to, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma), 21,32 it is hoped that inpatient dermatology and dermatosurgery will soon recover completely from the pandemic-related measures. In this context, public relations may contribute to a better presentation of the relevance of inpatient dermatology, which we hope to support with the present work.…”

Auswirkungen der COVID‐19‐Pandemie auf die stationäre Dermatochirurgie in Deutschland: Ergebnisse der DESSI‐Umfrage

“…Quartal 2022) Einschränkungen der stationären Patientenversorgung auf dermatologischen Stationen spürbar, die sich von den Auswirkungen dieser Einschränkungen nicht vollständig erholt haben. Allerdings stellen die Hautkliniken eine essenzielle Säule der dermatologischen Versorgung in Deutschland dar 31 . Da die Einschränkung der dermatologischen Patientenversorgung nachweislich zu einer Unterversorgung vieler dermatologischen Krankheitsbilder (unter anderem Plattenepithelkarzinom, malignes Melanom) führt, 21,32 bleibt zu hoffen, dass sich die stationäre Dermatologie und Dermatochirurgie zeitnah von den Pandemie‐bedingten Maßnahmen im vollen Umfang erholt.…”