Results of the 8th Survey on the Structure of Neurological Inpatients Services in Germany

Surveys on the structure of neurological inpatient care are being conducted by the German Neurological Society since 1980. The present survey covers the year 2007 and addressed 312 hospital departments of neurology and neurological hospitals participating in inpatient treatment of acute neurological disorders, of which 72.1 % responded. In comparison to the last survey covering the year 2003, the number of neurological hospital beds per capita has increased, and the average length of stay has further decreased. There is a tendency for small neurological intensive care units to be merged. Shift work for junior physicians has become standard practice on neurological ICUs. Stroke units, especially at university hospitals, have increased in size and medical personnel. Neurological departments employ more physio-, occupational and speech therapists. Neuropsychologists remain scarce. About half of the departments are able to comply with a 48 h working week for junior physicians. Almost half report medical vacancies. The internal pricing and payment systems of hospitals remain inadequate in many cases.