The Ludwigshafen-based company MD Medicus Holding, HWG LU and Klinikum Ludwigshafen (KliLu) are jointly setting new standards for cross-sector care for older people with the "Cared for at home" pilot project. The aim is to enable patients to make a smooth transition to home care after a hospital stay - through clearly defined processes, fixed contact persons and digital support services. The project is being scientifically supported by Prof. Dr. Klaus Blettner from the HWG LU, who holds the professorship for General Business Administration, in particular Marketing.
"The need for new care concepts cannot be overlooked," says Frank Ratzlaff, Managing Director of MD Medicus, a medical assistance and service company based in Ludwigshafen. At the end of 2023, there were around 5.7 million people in need of care in Germany, 86% of whom were cared for at home. An additional need for up to 690,000 nursing staff is forecast by 2049.
This is precisely where MD Medicus and HWG LU come in: Under the project name "Cared for at home", they have developed a concept that enables patients* to leave hospital earlier and subsequently stay at home in familiar surroundings for longer, in order to also significantly delay or even avoid accommodation in one of the inpatient care facilities.
Home care is seamlessly integrated into the hospital stay according to individual needs. The conditions for this are created during the hospital stay. This is because needs and risks are systematically recorded here.
The concept was tested at Ludwigshafen Hospital. In the rheumatology, nephrology and pneumology departments there, patients with so-called revolving door effects - i.e. patients who have to be readmitted as inpatients soon after being discharged from hospital due to inadequate aftercare or a lack of support - were cared for.
Scientific contribution: Artificial intelligence
The project received a particular boost from the collaboration with Prof. Dr. Klaus Blettner from the HWG LU. Together with his team, he contributed his expertise in artificial intelligence. This included AI-supported analyses for risk detection, readmission risks and early warning systems for critical situations. "The pilot phase is being carried out under the strictest scientific criteria and focuses on key quality indicators - all in strict compliance with data protection regulations," says Prof. Dr. Klaus Blettner. These are
- 30-day readmissions
- Unplanned emergency admissions per 100 participants
- Time until initial treatment at home
- Time to provision of prescribed services
- Satisfaction of patients, relatives and services
Structured transitions and digital support - success confirms pilot project
"Everyone definitely benefits from the consultation and exchange," concludes Dr. Armin Schwarz, Managing Senior Physician of Medical Clinic B at KliLu. The individual care plan developed together with patients, relatives and the medical and nursing services has already led to a shorter hospital stay for several patients.
"It was only possible to implement the 'Cared for at home' project in this variety of ways thanks to the valuable collaboration with Prof. Dr. Blettner and KliLu, which makes it possible to care for patients at home with even fewer risks and more comprehensive everyday care," says Frank Ratzlaff. "In addition to the importance of the necessary care provided by the nursing services, MD Medicus supports patients around the clock with its own doctors and other medical specialists in service centers that are always available, whereby telemedicine, digitalization and promptly available medical video consultations through to prescription orders and the organization for the delivery of medication are playing an increasingly important role," Ratzlaff continues.
A limited number of participants, who can also take advantage of the additional services, can participate free of charge for the duration of the project. A short telephone survey is requested after the project for scientific evaluation. For further information, please call 0621-540-0-1218.
About Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen am Rhein gemeinnützige GmbH
Klinikum Ludwigshafen is the third largest hospital in Rhineland-Palatinate and a maximum care hospital. It has 1,010 beds and comprises 17 clinics, five medical institutes, ten certified tumor centers, ten certified centers and twelve competence centers. With around 3,500 employees, KliLu is the fourth largest employer in the city on the Rhine. It is run by the city and has been a non-profit limited company since 1995. It also serves as an academic teaching hospital for Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the Mannheim Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University.
Press contact:
Klinikum Ludwigshafen
Annette Weber
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel.: 0621 5032392
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