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Objective: 1. The transfer rate of mature newborns will be presented as a new quality indicator. 2. Another objective of this study was to adjust the transfer rate of mature newborns of different hospitals according to their "risk" profile of patients by multivariate analysis., Method: The perinatal database of 118,416 newborns of the Saxonian quality surveillance from 2001 to 2004 was analysed. Based on 17 clinical and 3 structural factors, a logistic regression model was used to develop a specific "risk" predictor for the quality indicator "transfer rate"., Results: For care level III (basic care) a "risk" predictor for the transfer rate was developed, which consists of 15 factors. The AUC(ROC)-value of this quality indicator was 78.6%, which is sufficient. The hospital ranking based on the adjusted risk assessment was different from the hospital ranking prior to this adjustment. The average correction of ranking position was 10.4 for 43 clinics., Conclusion: 1. The new quality indicator "transfer rate of mature newborns" can be recommended. 2. The application of the risk adjustment method proposed here allows for a more objective comparison of the quality indicator "transfer rate" among different hospitals., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Background: Specific stroke subtypes like subarachnoid hemorrhages or malignant brain infarcts require immediate interventions, but treatment options are offered mainly in specialized centers. For this reason, interhospital transfers from primary hospitals need to be done without delay., Methods: The telemedic pilot project for integrative stroke care (TEMPiS) connects 2 stroke centers and 12 regional hospitals in Bavaria (Germany). Core elements are the implementation of stroke wards, telemedic consultation and improvement of emergency interhospital transfers. Organization of patient transports is offered by the central telemedic service. During the first 12 months of the continuing project all interhospital transfers initiated by the central telemedic service were prospectively documented. Emergency transports were analysed according to diagnosis, type of transport, distance and time delays., Results: A total of 252 interhospital transfers were recommended in teleconsultations; finally 221 transports took place. Median total duration of transfers (including the necessary arrangements) was 134 min (interquartile range: 105-219) for intracerebral hemorrhages (N = 58), 138 min (95-157) for subarachnoid hemorrhages (N = 31), 161 min (100-230) for malignant infarcts (N = 22) and 147 min (109-180) for suspected basilar artery occlusion (N = 28). Time from admission in the primary hospital to initiation of interhospital transfer was 135 min (median; interquartile range: 86-172), transport time was 81 min (60-116). Helicopter transport did not save time for transfer distances up to 50 kilometres, compared to transport via ambulance (including assistance of hospital physicians). Transport using a special intensive care vehicle was much more time consuming because of the longer transport preparation time., Conclusion: Emergency transfers of stroke patients are time consuming. This may contribute to additional harm being done to severely ill patients. Faster organization and conduct of transports is required.

Background and Objectives: Transferring adolescent patients with endocrine disorders from paediatric to adult care units depends on regional facilities with varying efficiency. A nationwide system of transition clinics in Germany is actually not available, despite demands by physicians and patients., Patients and Methods: We conducted a survey for the 36 German university hospitals to examine the regional existence and characteristics of actual transition methods. In a second questionnaire patients were asked to report their individual transition periods., Results: Despite physician's demand in the majority of hospitals, there are only eight transition clinics nationwide. On average 56 patients attended these clinics yearly. Most patients suffered from disorders of pituitary, thyroid or adrenal gland (each 76 %) and diabetes mellitus type 1 (82 %). The perception of teamwork between the paediatric and adult care units was better in hospitals with transition clinics. Moreover, there was more scientific cooperation in those hospitals. Attendance to medical care and patient's compliance was enhanced by establishing transition clinics in 82 % and 70 %, respectively. Questioning affected patients we found attendance to the paediatric team up to the age of twenty with substantial difficulties finding an adequate adult care unit. Patients were more contend with paediatric than adult quality of physicians care (mark 1.6 versus 2.4). 82 % of patients judged establishing transition clinics as "urgently needed"., Conclusion: In conclusion there are transition clinics in one quarter of German university hospitals. A more widespread installation of transition clinics is medical reasonable and is demanded by patients.