In Germany there are approximately 2.2 million persons who need medical care. 1.5
million of them receive assistance at home (out-patient), and 700 000 in caretaking
centers (in-patient). These persons must receive care depending on their needs for
personal assistance and the necessities according to the present level of knowledge in the
medical field and in caretaking. The caretaking standards are to be found in the Act
concerning health care and in the contracts that have been concluded based on these
standards. The medical department verifies by unannounced visits if these quality
requirements are truly met.
Verifying the in-patient units and the out-patient care services
The medical department verifies the quality of the health care in the in-patient centers and
for the out-patient caretaking services. The services offered by the caretaking services
and their quality are evaluated by grades and the results are published on the Internet and
displayed at the caretaking centers. The conventions concerning transparency establish
the criteria concerning their verification and publishing.
The verification criteria which enable the measurement of quality
There are several principles to follow for high quality caretaking. During the verification
MDK verifies, among others, the satisfaction of one of the parties of the insured. Beside
this, one also verifies the physical condition of the insured in order to draw conclusions
on the quality of caretaking.
We mention for you a list of criteria which are taken into consideration during a verification of the out-patient care:
What is the care condition of the client or the nursed person? In order to assess
this, the MDK employees check, among other things, the condition of the skin
and the nourishment of the nursed person and verify the incontinence products
that are used.
Are the established services concerning feeding performed?
In case of nourishment deficiency, is the nursed person or his/ her family
informed on the steps to be taken?
In case of incontinence, are the concerned persons advised on the necessary
measures to be taken?
Is the administrated medication in accordance with the doctor’s prescriptions?
Are wounds well taken care of, in line with the present day technology?
Before starting the services, does the nursed person receive an estimate
concerning the costs?
Is the caretaking department always available for the nursed person?
Is there a proper hygiene management in the care unit and are the most important
rules observed, such as hands washing?
Are all the employees involved in continuous training?
The results of quality assessment in the care unit can be found on the website
www.pflegenoten.de
www.pflegenoten.de