Shaky dentures, ripping breast implants, dysfunctional pacemakers: doctors have little chance to inform themselves about possible risks of medical devices. Which doctor has used which prosthesis for which patient is not recorded centrally. In the worst case, dangers remain undetected. In Germany, more than 14,000 deaths, injuries and other complications related to medical devices were reported in 2017.
A nationwide registry for implants should now give patients more security. The Federal Cabinet approved on Wednesday the bill by Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) to establish an implant registry. "As a result, we will know in the future who has received which implant," said Spahn. "If we find problems with a product, then we can quickly inquire if there are similar cases and warn patients in case of doubt."
The data could be used, for example, to determine how long the implants can remain in the body, how good their quality is and whether there are problems with certain clinics.
The German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI) is to take over the data collection. As an independent trust, the Robert Koch Institute is expected to ensure that all personal data is provided with a pseudonym.
From mid-2021, hip and knee endoprostheses and breast implants will be the first implants to be detected. The law is not subject to approval in the Bundesrat, it should be proclaimed at the end of the year.