[Intensified collaborative care: a model of successful acting in ambulatory cardiology].

In the cardiological care of outpatients in Germany, selective contracts have been established in in addition to the usual representation in the collective system, i.e., in the system of the associations of statutory health insurance physicians (Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen, KV).

Intensified ambulatory cardiology care: effects on mortality and hospitalisation-a comparative observational study.

Since 2010, an intensified ambulatory cardiology care programme has been implemented in southern Germany. To improve patient management, the structure of cardiac disease management was improved, guideline-recommended care was supported, new ambulatory medical services and a morbidity-adapted reimbursement system were set up. Our aim was to determine the effects of this programme on the mortality and hospitalisation of enrolled patients with cardiac disorders.

Home Monitoring technology and integrated follow-up care of ICD patients.

Objective: Increasing utilization rates of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) tend to overburden follow-up resources at the implanting electrophysiological centres (ECs). Remote monitoring technology allows physicians from different institutions to simultaneously review ICD data of shared patients. We studied if an integrated follow-up care involving ECs and general cardiologists (GCs) may reduce the frequency of in-office follow-ups at ECs by using remote monitoring data to identify routine checks that may be conducted at GCs.