Hospital Atlas undergoing trials at federal level

The Federal Ministry of Health has launched a hospital information service called the "Federal Hospital Atlas" in Germany, providing details on the services and treatment quality of 1,700 hospitals across the country. However, the service has been under criticism since its launch in May 2024, with the German Foundation for Patient Protection calling for its immediate end, labelling it as the "long death" of the "Federal Hospital Atlas."

The review of the "Federal Hospital Atlas" is currently ongoing within the ministry, focusing on potential duplicated structures. Minister Nina Warken (CDU) has made multiple statements about the inefficiency of duplicated structures. No specific changes or decisions have been announced regarding the "Federal Hospital Atlas" as a result of the review so far.

The social association VdK and consumer centers have warned that the closure of the "Federal Hospital Atlas" would be detrimental from the patient's perspective, arguing that the healthcare system needs more transparency, not less. They emphasize the importance of an independent source for hospital information, as they fear that in the future, information on treatments would only be provided by hospital operators or hospital associations.

The "Federal Hospital Atlas" offers a comparison portal for hospitals, displaying the number of cases for treatments and staffing in a tachometer display for context. This transparency has been a valuable resource for patients seeking information about their healthcare options.

Despite the criticism, the ministry has not made any official decisions regarding the "Federal Hospital Atlas." A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Health has responded to a query about the review, stating that the ministry is currently internally reviewing various options regarding the "Federal Hospital Atlas."

Criticism from states, specialist societies, and the hospital industry has been present since the launch of the "Federal Hospital Atlas." The name of the special department that has been responsible for maintaining the "Federal Hospital Atlas" at the Federal Ministry of Health since July 20XX is not specified in the provided information.

As the review continues, the future of the "Federal Hospital Atlas" remains uncertain. The public and stakeholders alike are eagerly awaiting the ministry's decision, hoping for a service that continues to provide valuable information to patients while addressing the concerns raised during the review.