Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Tübingen
BG Trauma Clinic Tübingen

Patients from across the whole of Europe

With an international reputation and patients from all over Europe, BG Trauma Clinic Tübingen is one of the most prestigious trauma centres in Germany. Originally conceived as an aftercare clinic, it has been working closely with the neighbouring university since the beginning of 1957. In 1987, a contract was concluded to regulate the partnership: as part of this "Tübingen model" the clinic provides patient care, research and teaching in the field of trauma, hand, plastic and burns surgery for the university. In 2006, this successful model was extended to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which has been integrated in the BG clinic since then.

Intensive research for the benefit of patients

The best possible care for its patients is the guiding principle of the clinic. In this context, it relies on intensive research activities. The latest example is a research project for the reconstruction of peripheral nerves. A breakthrough in the treatment of serious nerve injuries is expected. Groundbreaking experimental results have already been presented, the outcome of which is that the project was awarded the Herbert Lauterbach Prize in 2005. As one of four hospitals in Germany, the Tübingen "BG" is also participating in the "Pain-free Hospital" research project: clinical studies show that too many inpatients suffer from preventable pain. Comprehensive pain management in which doctors, nurses and therapists work closely together should counter this issue. This will benefit both patients and the financially accountable party: thanks to this initiative the average stay can be decreased by 1.5 days.

Service provider for professional associations

For the professional associations, the clinic is a competent problem-solver in all rehabilitation issues. As a centre of maximum care, the clinic has based its range of services on the requirements of the statutory accident insurance and provides special consultations and services for effective therapy management. For example, the "Psychotraumatological Outpatient Unit" aims to close a gap in trauma injuries. Experienced trauma psychologists work closely with the medical outpatient unit and support the patient until all rehabilitation measures have been completed. This helps solve mental barriers and counters delayed rehabilitation or problematic reintegration.
A six-monthly quality panel, in which the managing directors of the district administrations and the chief physicians of the clinic are represented, aims to improve collaboration between the professional associations and the clinic. BG-specific issues are discussed, in particular the coordination of therapy management.

Assured success

Quality is given the highest priority: sophisticated risk management ensures the success of the medical work. This includes, for example, joint visits of various consultants, regular reviews of the indications, as well as possible complications, and an established second opinion system for complex diseases. The clinic has 327 beds and treated almost 7,300 patients in 2005. Approximately one third of these were admitted to the clinic for acute and primary care after an accident. In the same year, the staff cared for 23,000 injured outpatients. The surgical team performed 27,000 surgical procedures. With its 800 workplaces, the clinic also makes a significant contribution to the economy in the Tübingen region. The "Verein für Berufsgenossenschaftliche Heilbehandlung Heidelberg e.V." (Association of BG Medical Treatment Heidelberg e.V.) is the clinic's sponsor.

Departments / Institutes	Beds	Management
Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery	203	Prof. Kuno Weise
Department of Hand, Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery	48	Prof. Hans-Eberhard Schaller
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	22	Prof. Siegmar Reinert
Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Medicine and Pain Therapy	13	Dr. Reinhold Fretschner, Lecturer
Department of Paraplegics, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Medicine	26	Prof. Hans-Peter Kaps
Department of Medical Developmen	-	Prof. Dankward Höntzsch
Department of Diagnostic Radiology	-	Prof. Claus D. Claussen
Special rehabilitation services: "Berufsgenossenschaftliche Stationäre Weiterbehandlung (BGSW)" (co-operative vocational, inpatient further treatment) Complex inpatient rehabilitation measures (KSR) Centre of Excellence for Rehab Advice	15