Vienna State Goal Control Commission is also pushing digital health applications in child and adolescent psychiatry. Vienna State Goal Control Commission is also pushing digital health applications in child and adolescent psychiatry
Vienna (OTS) – A center for sexual health is being built at the Aids Hilfe Vienna location. This was decided at today’s meeting of the Vienna State Target Control Commission (LZK). The LZK is a committee of the city of Vienna, social security and the federal government that develops and implements projects to optimize the health system. One goal of the Center for Sexual Health is to create a low-threshold, central point of contact for people with illnesses and concerns in the area of their sexual health. To date, services in the area of testing and medical care for people with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly the “Big Five” (HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis) have been provided both in hospitals and in private practices.
The Center for Sexual Health supplements the outpatient services – the range of medical services should include the prevention, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. In order to effectively break the chains of infection, prompt diagnosis and rapid initiation of therapy are of great importance, especially for STIs. A positive side effect of the new care structure is the relief of the burden on the hospital sector and on the specialist medical practice. The renovation work for the sexual health center is scheduled to start at the end of 2024, with the opening planned for the beginning of 2026.
Digital health applications in child and adolescent psychiatry are entering the next round
The state target management project “Digital Health Application in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (KJP) – Phase I” has been implemented since May 2023 under the leadership of the Board of Trustees for Psychosocial Services of Vienna (PSD) in cooperation with the University Hospital of Vienna – Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department (MuW). and is scheduled to enter pilot phase II from April 1, 2024.
The digital health application (diGa) is to be introduced step by step into the various treatment settings as part of Phase II. The test phase of the app will start at the beginning of April 2024. In the future, patients will be able to use numerous functions via the app, such as the appointment management function and diary function, formulating goals or even an overview of their own treatment plans. The digital health application also offers a range of options for practitioners, such as the management of treatment plans and goals, the preparation of appointments and their evaluation, as well as notifications (e.g. in the event of deterioration).
The diGa not only contributes to relieving the burden on the traditional treatment sector, but also offers concrete advantages in terms of the exchange between practitioners and patients and thus optimized treatment. In addition, treatment continuity can be ensured after an inpatient or day hospital stay through ongoing contact via the web application. In addition, practitioners have the option of comprehensive monitoring and can therefore take rapid action if the condition deteriorates. For patients and relatives, the app acts as digital support in their own treatment process and as a self-help tool available around the clock.
Successes in tracheostomy care for children and adolescents in private practice
A tracheostomy is an artificial opening in the windpipe that is created through surgery. It is usually put on to make breathing easier when normal breathing through the mouth and nose is not possible. In addition to difficulties with speaking, eating and drinking that arise due to the tracheostomy, care and prevention of infections are also important aspects that must be taken into account for children and adolescents with tracheostomy. Until recently, there was only care assistance from MOMO and MOKI for children and young people with tracheostoma; otherwise, the hospital outpatient clinics were the only contact point for affected young people in Vienna.
In June 2023, at the 40th meeting of the State Target Management Commission, it was decided to provide children and adolescents with tracheostomy in the private sector. The aim of the new competence center is to bring together the medical care of children with tracheostomy in one place. The new care offer was very well received by patients and relatives right from the start. The services have recently been massively expanded thanks to financial support from the Vienna State Target Management. The existing medical and nursing treatment offering (paediatrics, pediatric ENT, pediatric surgery, pediatric nephrology, pediatric cardiology, pediatric pulmonology, child psychology and pediatric nursing) has been expanded in quality and, since October, has also included a wound manager, a social worker, a speech therapist and a dietitian.
LZK project “Digital emergency care for nursing home residents” extended
The number of rescue operations in nursing homes has increased in recent years. These missions are usually not based on serious or critical illness situations. Nevertheless, simply because of their age and underlying illnesses, these patients have a longer average length of stay than other patients, which in turn negatively affects the availability of beds in hospitals.
In order to counteract this problem and still ensure adequate care for nursing home residents, it was decided as part of the 38th state target management to initiate a feasibility study on digital emergency care for nursing home residents. The aim of this feasibility study was to examine the technical, legal and organizational feasibility of digital emergency care for nursing home residents and to develop a suitable model. The findings of the feasibility study are now available: The residents of nursing homes benefit from age-appropriate, efficient care by avoiding unnecessary changes of location as well as transport and waiting times. In addition, the use of emergency medical teleconsultation contributes to fewer hospitalizations and associated cost savings.
Due to the positive response, the model of digital emergency care for nursing home residents developed in the feasibility study should be retained and the area of application expanded. An expansion of the target group and the teleconsultation facilities is planned – the operating times are also to be gradually expanded.
Other primary care units
Another offer that is implemented as part of the state target management is the primary care units (PVE). Here, several doctors (usually general practitioners) work together with other health professions (dietology, social work, clinical psychology/psychotherapy) under one roof. There are already 15 PVEs in Vienna, with more to follow in 2024. The next openings are planned to take place in districts 20 and 21 in the second quarter of 2024.
Questions & Contact:
Austrian health insurance fund
Mag.a Viktoria Frieser
presse@oegk.at
www.gesundheitskasse.at
City vienna
Mag. Norbert Schnurrer
Norbert. Schnurrer@wien.gv.at