Hessen pilots SaN project to optimize emergency medical care

The SaN project, which stands for ‘Sektorenübergreifende ambulante Notfallversorgung’ (Cross-sectoral outpatient emergency care), is currently being piloted in Hessen, Germany. The initiative aims to better direct patients contacting emergency numbers 112 or the medical on-call service 116 117 to the appropriate level of care, thereby reducing the burden on emergency rooms.

Operating in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Main-Taunus, and Gießen districts in cooperation with the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Hessen, the project relies on digital interfaces between integrated control centers and the medical on-call service, alongside collaboration with partner practices. Dr. Wolfgang Lenz, head of the Health and Hazard Prevention Office in Main-Kinzig-Kreis, noted that the project helps patients who may struggle to distinguish between a true emergency and a situation better suited for a general practitioner.

District Administrator Thorsten Stolz highlighted the Main-Kinzig-Kreis as a pioneer in implementing digital processes to optimize the use of time and resources in emergency services.