Operated quickly and discharged on the same day – some patients might want that to be exactly the case. Just like some players in the health system: billions of euros can be saved thanks to shorter hospital stays. Germany has to catch up. Far fewer surgeries are still performed on an outpatient basis in this country than elsewhere in Europe and the USA. Since 2020, doctors, health insurance companies and clinics have been fighting to change that. With success: By 2022, around 2,900 procedures had been approved for outpatient surgery – hundreds have been added since then.
Which are they? What are the advantages and disadvantages for patients? Who ultimately makes the decision whether someone goes under the knife as an outpatient or an inpatient? We list important changes in outpatient surgery and provide a checklist for preparation and follow-up.
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