Treatment errors in the north: patients demand more transparency!

Treatment errors in the north: patients demand more transparency!

In northern Germany, patients who think of a treatment error are often alone. The feeling of being left alone in the medical system is getting stronger and ensures that doctors are lost. The Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) reports a total of 312 suspected cases of treatment errors for 2024 - a decline compared to 349 reports in the previous year. However, as the TK reports, the number of unreported cases is probably far higher, because many patients are looking for help with ombudsmen and health insurance companies if they are dissatisfied with their treatment. KN ONLINE

The head of the TK representative in Schleswig-Holstein, Sören Schmidt-Bodenstein, emphasizes the need for more transparency in healthcare. Around a third of the reported treatment errors were confirmed, but the most common problems can be found in the areas of surgery, diagnostics, communication and aftercare. The TK therefore calls for a legal obligation to report for treatment errors in medical institutions.

The highest risks in treatment

The AOK Nordwest has also published new figures: for 2024, the cash register 262 suspected cases of treatment errors, which corresponds to an increase compared to 242 reports in 2023. Treatment errors in operational disciplines such as surgery, orthopedics, gynecology and dentistry are particularly common. About 20 percent of the cases actually prove to be a treatment error. tk in this context indicates the diversity of the treatment errors: From confused medication to the wrong Operations. Surgery is the subject with 34 percent with the most common errors, followed by dentistry (18 percent).

dr. Jens Baas, the CEO of the TK, describes the difficult situation in which those affected often find themselves: Long procedures, tactics of liability insurance and data protection problems represent hurdles that hinder quickly clarification. The TK commissioned 2,469 medical reports for its members in 2024 and offers a hotline for affected insured persons.

Enlightenment and support for those affected

An important need for patients is often a clarifying conversation with the doctor responsible. This is also confirmed The Federal Ministry of Health advises to first contact the hospital management or directly to the treating doctor. In some federal states there are even legally prescribed patient advocates who are advisable to clarify treatment errors.

When it comes to the question of claims for damages, statutory health insurance companies help free of charge. In addition, expert reports from the medical service can be obtained in order to check the quality of the treatment. The medical profession itself founded expert commissions and arbitration boards to support patients in these difficult cases.

summarized it is shown that treatment errors are a serious topic that burdens both trust in the health system and the relationship between patients and doctors. However, the prudent use of these incidents and a transparent exchange could help restore lost trust and to improve the situation sustainably.