[Management of ear, nose and throat emergencies]

Emergency situations involving the ears, nose, and throat (ENT) area can pose considerable challenges for clinicians and often require an interdisciplinary approach due to the involvement of different organ systems. To avoid damage to highly relevant sensory and perception organs and life-threatening bleeding or respiratory complications, strategies that are as quick and targeted as possible are necessary. This article aims to provide an overview of ENT emergency management strategies. The entire spectrum from simple conservative to highly complex surgical measures plays a role here, both diagnostically and therapeutically. Aspects such as bleeding, respiratory problems, inflammation, hearing disorders, vertigo, facial palsy and injuries to the head and neck area are discussed. In addition, important topics such as preventive measures and possible complications are also addressed to ensure optimal patient care.

[The Dizziness Handicap Inventory for quality control in the treatment of vestibular dysfunction]

Die Therapie peripherer vestibulärer Funktionsstörungen stellt eine Herausforderung für viele HNO-Ärzte dar. Diese besteht nicht nur in der Durchführung der differenzierten neurootologischen Diagnostik, sondern auch in der Therapie und in der Verlaufskontrolle von Patienten mit vestibulärer Funktionsstörung. Insbesondere die Qualitätssicherung solcher Therapie wird in der Regel nicht adäquat abgebildet und dokumentiert. Die deutsche, validierte Version des Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) bietet eine praktikable Möglichkeit zur Evaluierung und Verlaufskontrolle der Therapieergebnisse. In einer Studie wurden die Beschwerden von Patienten, welche in der HNO-Klinik des Universitätsklinikums Aachen aufgrund einer unilateralen peripheren vestibulären Funktionsstörung behandelt wurden, prä- bzw. posttherapeutisch mittels DHI erfasst und ausgewertet. Die posttherapeutische Erhebung des DHI-Scores erfolgte telefonisch. Die Auswertung der erhobenen DHI-Scores ergab in 92 % der Fälle eine signifikante Reduzierung der Schwindelbeschwerden. Es bestätigte sich die Eignung des DHI als Instrument zur Qualitätssicherung für die Funktionsdiagnostik und die darauf folgende Therapie von vestibulären Funktionsstörungen.

[Marketing issues for the otorhinolaryngologist]

BACKGROUND

Economic aspects related to the German health care system are rising. In the outpatient area does this trend influence the organization of the surgery and the treatment procedures as well as the relationship between the patient and the doctor. The patient's free volition of choice is increasing and the patient becomes a "customer" in the health system. The aim of this work is to to elucidate marketing issues for otorhinolaryngologist, which could improve the efficiency of their surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

150 otorhinolaryngologist have undergone a written survey. The subjects of this survey were, how far marketing strategies are used by otolaryngologists and on the other hand, what are their opinions on marketing.

RESULTS

115 returned questionnaires were included in the statistical analysis (response rate: 77%). Only 44% of surveyed otolaryngologists deal yet with economic aspects. After all, 65% of the otorhinolaryngologist offered individual health services. On the other hand only 51% of otolaryngologists were additionaly qualificated and only 14% would like to acquire more skills. At the time of the survey 78% conducted a homepage.

CONCLUSION

This study examined for the first time economic aspect in an otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic. The interest in economic processes is currently low, but required by German law and in the interest of the owner himself. The 4 pillars of traditional marketing research help to understand the practice economically viable easily and competitive to set up in local contests over a long period.