Results of the 9th Survey on the Structure of Neurological In-Patient Services in Germany

Surveys regarding the structure of neurological inpatient care have been conducted by the German Neurological Society since 1980. The present survey covers the year 2009 and addressed 335 hospital departments of neurology concerned with inpatient care of acute neurological disorders, of which 63% responded. In comparison to the last survey which covered the year 2007, the number of neurological hospital departments and beds per capita has increased while the average length of stay has decreased. In 2009, neurological intensive care was more often provided in multidisciplinary intensive care units. For junior physicians working on ICUs it has become standard to work in shifts. Working time regulation legislation has resulted in an increased demand for doctors which, in turn, led to an increasing number of job vacancies. There is a considerable number of departments where staff shortage has become critical. Where already established, the means of internal cost allocation need to be refined.