Clinics raise efficiency & productivity:

Data published today by the German hospital federation, the DKG, show that hospitals are working more efficiently. While patient numbers continue to increase, capacity in terms of bed numbers continues to be reduced. The DKG's 2004-05 facts and figures brochure reports that in the 12 years to 2003, 123,000 beds were cut, which is equivalent to a 20% reduction. But at the same time, average patient length of stay dropped from around 15 days at the beginning of the 1990s to 8.9 days in 2003. For details on obtaining copies, contact the DKG in Berlin on fax: [phone]; email: [email protected]