SHERIDAN, WYOMING – September 15, 2024 – The forthcoming European Health Congress Munich 2024 will confront the critical issue of fragmented patient discharge planning, a systemic challenge acknowledged by experts as a detriment to both the quality and efficiency of patient care.
Discontinuity of Care
A significant number of patients are discharged from hospitals without a clear understanding of their post-acute care plan or the appropriate points of contact for further assistance. Dr. Mélanie Daffner, Head of the Department of Palliative Medicine, Rehabilitation, Home Care, Outpatient Intensive Care, and Geriatrics at the Medical Service of Bavaria, identifies substantial gaps in post-discharge care coordination. These include difficulties in securing timely follow-up appointments, delays in the prescription of necessary medications and therapies, and insufficient provision of home healthcare services.
Dr. Daffner cautions that premature discharges motivated by financial constraints can result in the rapid deterioration of clinical gains achieved during hospitalization, due to the absence of adequate post-discharge support.
Operational Strain on Hospitals
Hospitals, mandated to facilitate discharge planning, grapple with the complexities of this responsibility. Prof. Dr. Achim Jockwig, CEO of Klinikum Nürnberg Nord, underscores the disproportionate burden placed on hospital social work departments, stating: "The expectation for hospitals to single-handedly manage the initiation and coordination of post-hospital care is an untenable and unilateral burden, contributing to a scarcity of acute inpatient resources."
Collaborative Problem-Solving
The Congress session titled "Hospital Discharges: High Pressure, Fragile Follow-up Care" will convene a panel of experts to deliberate on strategies to enhance the efficacy of discharge planning. Prof. Achim Jockwig and Dr. Mélanie Daffner will be joined by other healthcare leaders to explore evidence-based solutions and share best practices.
A Comprehensive Congress
The European Health Congress Munich 2024, themed "Implementation Revolution in Healthcare: Initiative is the Key to Success!", will offer a diverse program encompassing a wide spectrum of healthcare topics. From health policy and integrated care models to rehabilitation and long-term care, the Congress aspires to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge dissemination across sectors, regions, and national boundaries.
Invitation to Participate
Healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry stakeholders are urged to attend the Congress and actively contribute to the discourse on improving patient care and addressing the systemic challenges inherent in discharge planning.
Register today at: Anmeldung - 23. Europäischer Gesundheitskongress München
For further information, please visit: Programm - 23. Europäischer Gesundheitskongress München
About the European Health Congress Munich
The European Health Congress Munich is a premier forum that unites healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to examine and address the most pressing challenges confronting the healthcare sector. The Congress provides a platform for the exchange of knowledge, collaborative endeavors, and the development of innovative solutions aimed at enhancing patient care and advancing the healthcare industry.