Tuesday, June 28, 2022 – Author: bab
In the case of an ambulance, things have to be done quickly. If allergies or pre-existing conditions are stored on the electronic health card, it can save lives. But only 14 percent of those who have statutory health insurance know about it.
In the case of an ambulance, things have to be done quickly. If allergies or pre-existing conditions are stored on an electronic health card, it can provide important information for the doctor – and save lives. But only 14 percent of those who have statutory health insurance are aware of this option. This is reported by Gematik, which is responsible for the appropriate digital infrastructure throughout the country.
According to the current status, by the end of September 2021, almost 500,000 data sets for emergencies were created by doctors under contract. To make this option better known, Gematik is launching an information offensive together with the German Medical Association, the German Hospital Society and other partners.
When patients cannot contribute to the history of the disease
Dr. Klaus Reinhardt, President of the German Medical Association: “Every day in the emergency services there are situations in which patients are unable to contribute to the anamnesis for various reasons – for example due to pain, dementia, drug abuse or language barriers.”
In addition to the records of emergency data on the health card, doctors would be informed at a glance about possible previous illnesses and medications, as well as, for example, contact details of colleagues treating. Emergency data can therefore significantly improve emergency care, Reinhardt continued in a press release.
Emergency data on an electronic health card can save lives
If you want to store your emergency data on an electronic health card, you can contact your doctor. After explanation, it stores the necessary medical data. Doctors, psychotherapists and pharmacists can approach him in emergencies to help the patient. Information can save his life.
These include, for example: previous illnesses, long-term drug use or drug intolerance, existing implants, or pregnancy. The contact details of the doctor treating you and the private contact for emergencies can also be stored in the data.
Example: A gardening hobby with a deep cut
A practical example: a hobby gardener suffered a deep cut and his wife took him to a nearby district hospital emergency room. In parallel with the provision of first aid, a record of the patient’s emergency data is read and it is determined that several vascular supports (stents) have been placed due to the treated heart disease.
In order to avoid thrombosis, he was prescribed long-term use of a blood thinner as a precautionary measure. Since the patient is not aware of the mechanism of action of the drug, he did not mention it in connection with the injury upon admission. Based on the data from the emergency records, the doctor temporarily stops taking the medicine until the wound heals.
The initiative is supported by the Federal Association of Emergency Physicians in Germany, the German Society for Interdisciplinary Emergency and Acute Medicine, the German Society for Orthopedics and Traumatology, the Marburger Bund – the Association of Paid and State Physicians of Germany, the Patient Counseling Center and the Independent Counseling .
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