The emergency data set for the German Electronic Health Card--which benefits can be expected?

Background: In order to improve access to pre-existing patient information in case of emergency, the German Electronic Health Card (EHC) is supposed to hold emergency data. As a basis, the German Medical Association developed an emergency data set, which provides the possibility to store information on prior diagnoses, medications, allergies and other emergency-relevant information.

Objectives: One main objective of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of the emergency data in specific emergency situations.

Methods: Within a two-phase exploratory study, a total of 64 paper-based emergency data sets were completed by primary care physicians, and then were evaluated by clinicians, emergency physicians, and paramedics.

Results: Clinicians, emergency physicians as well as paramedics rated the emergency data set in more than 70% of the reviewed cases as very useful or useful. The greatest benefit was attributed to the information on diagnoses and medication.

Conclusion: The implementation of an emergency data on the EHC has the potential to improve safety, quality and efficiency of emergency care.