Countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the USA spend over ten percent of their gross national product on their healthcare systems. However, the systems differ significantly in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness. This is due to both, the legislation, and the varying degrees of digitalization.
Content
On this page, you will find articles on the following topics:
- Healthcare
- Health IT
- Regulatory context
1. Articles on healthcare
In this category, you will find articles on the following topics:
- Players in the healthcare sector
- Market trends and health policy and general medical topics
2. Articles on health IT
3. Articles on the regulatory context
a) Product development
If you are faced with the task of developing a device for the healthcare market, then take note of this information:
b) Use and operation of medical devices
These articles are relevant for health institutions:
- Impact of MDR and IVDR on health institutions such as hospitals
- Caution with in-house production of medical devices
- Laboratories: In-house IVD (Lab Developed Tests)
- Medical Device Operator Ordinance
On September 14, 2024, the new version of the German Health Interoperability Governance Regulation (or IOP Governance Regulation, or GIGV for short) came into force. The German Ministry of Health published a draft bill (only available in German) containing the recitals on April 24 of that year. This version of the GIGV will replace the…
Details
This article will help you ensure that you will still be able to offer in-house IVD (also called Laboratory Developed Tests, LDTs) under the IVDR and will explain the three options open to you avoiding legal disputes. In-house IVD are a type of in vitro diagnostic test. But do regulatory requirements such as the IVDR also…
Details
PDMS stands for patient data management system. These clinical information systems are typically used in hospitals, especially in departments that treat patients in intensive care. PMDS are experiencing a new boom in Germany as a result of the funding provided by the Hospital Future Act (Krankenhaus-Zukunftsgesetz, KHZG). This article provides 1. PMDS: Functionalities and requirements Patient data management systems (PDMS)…
Details
Companies need to master the digital transformation quickly and successfully. This also applies to medical device manufacturers because, after all, their future depends on it. Many companies make severe mistakes during this transformation (see section 4). This article provides managers with a quick overview of the possibilities of digital transformation and gives seven tips to make it…
Details
Laws require risk management in hospitals, especially in order to improve patient safety. Nevertheless, many hospitals find this difficult. This article presents the most important regulatory requirements and provides tips for implementation. 1. Typical risks in a hospital a) Risks for patients The most important risks for patients include: b) Risks for all people in…
Details
More and more medical devices are using artificial intelligence to diagnose patients more precisely and to treat them more effectively. Although a lot of devices have already been approved (e.g., by the FDA), a lot of regulatory questions remain unanswered. With the AI Act, the EU has published a regulatory framework for AI, and not…
Details
Since 2020, the German legislature has allowed the reimbursement of digital health applications (DiGA). DiGA manufacturers must fulfill several requirements for this. This article describes the steps required to do so. Step 1: Define the business case a) Determine the intended purpose of the DiGA The intended purpose is the basis for all further steps.…
Details
We have known how vulnerable IT security is in the healthcare sector since February 2016, when the IT infrastructures of many clinics were brought to a standstill by a simple virus attack. As a result, the authorities are paying closer attention to ensuring that not only clinics but also manufacturers guarantee the IT security of…
Details
If you have to conduct a clinical investigation for your medical device or clinical performance study for your IVD, you won’t be able to avoid sample size planning. And you will need to avoid the following two problems when calculating the sample size: Therefore, you need to accurately identify the exact sample size needed so…
Details
The parameterization of software – in this context, we can also talk about customizing or configuring software – often leads to discussion, e.g., regarding responsibilities and the differentiation to in-house production. This article gives manufacturers and their customers important advice on what to look out for when parameterizing software and how to avoid the usual pitfalls.…
Details