Structure and organization of heart failure networks (HF-NETs) and heart failure units (HFUs) to optimize treatment of acute and chronic heart failure-Update 2021 Joint recommendations of the German Cardiac Society (DGK) and the German Society for Thoracic and cardiovascular Surgery (DGTHG), published by the Executive Board of the German Cardiac Society together with the DGTHG, the ALKK and the BNK

Despite major advances in the treatment of heart failure (HF), it remains the leading cause for hospitalization in Germany and is associated with an unimproved high mortality risk. To optimize HF care, in the year 2016 the German Cardiac Society (DGK), the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (DGTHG), and the Working Group of Leading German Hospital Cardiologists (ALKK) engaged into an initiative aiming to define the profile and the certification procedure of HF networks that are organized in modules (so-called HF units, HFU) in order to ascertain faster diagnosis and top-quality treatment of patients suffering from acutely decompensated chronic or de novo HF. General practitioners, cardiologists in private practice, regional hospitals, and supraregional centers offering comprehensive state of the art HF treatment, including cardiovascular surgery are partners in the establishment of HF networks. The certification procedures are supported and supervised by the DGK. The current position statement describes the adaptations that were recently introduced. In particular, the major role of nonmedical specialized staff, which has a central operative and interlinking function, has been emphasized and the available training curricula of the DGK are featured. The modifications introduced in the certification procedure are clarified and the implementation of these structures into the national healthcare system are discussed.

Automated summary

Despite major advances in the treatment of heart failure, it remains the leading cause of hospitalization in Germany with a high mortality risk. To improve heart failure care, a joint initiative by the German Cardiac Society, the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and the Working Group of Leading German Hospital Cardiologists aimed to define the profile and certification process of heart failure networks. These networks, organized in modules called HF units, seek to ensure faster diagnosis and high-quality treatment for patients with acute decompensated chronic or new onset heart failure.