Analysis of German hospital emergency and disaster plans to see how prepared hospitals are for crises
Official title: KAEPacity - Eine Vergleichende Analyse Der Krankenhausalarm- Und Einsatzpläne (KAEP) Deutscher Krankenhäuser
Run by Heidelberg University · NCT07440329 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether analyzing hospital emergency and disaster plans from across Germany can identify strengths and gaps to help improve preparedness.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 319 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Heidelberg University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Heidelberg) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 9, 2026 |
| Main results expected | July 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | March 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07440329 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
German hospitals that have a documented KAEP and can provide institutional consent to share those documents for analysis are eligible to participate.
✕Probably not a fit
Facilities without emergency or acute care services (for example rehabilitation clinics) and hospitals that decline to share documents will not benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
KAEPacity is an observational, mixed-methods document analysis of Hospital Emergency and Disaster Plans (KAEP) supplied by hospitals in Germany. Participating hospitals provide their current KAEPs and related materials (for example exercise plans, training concepts, and evaluation reports); documents are pseudonymized, stored securely, and linked to a separate, access-restricted file with aggregated hospital characteristics. Analysis uses a structured criteria framework derived from national guidance (including the BBK KAEP handbook) and international recommendations (including the WHO Hospital Emergency Response Checklist) with both quantitative coding and qualitative comparison to identify strengths, deficits, and best-practice elements. Findings will be used to generate evidence-informed recommendations for quality improvement and harmonization of hospital emergency planning.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help hospitals standardize and strengthen emergency plans so responses to disasters are faster and better coordinated.
How similar studies have gone: Document-based reviews and checklist-driven analyses have informed preparedness improvements elsewhere, but comprehensive, nationwide comparative analyses of KAEPs in Germany are limited, so this approach is partly novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: German hospitals with a documented KAEP Institutional consent to provide KAEP documents for analysis Exclusion Criteria: Hospitals declining participation Specialized facilities without emergency or acute care services (e.g., rehabilitation clinics)
Where it's running
-
Stabsstelle Krisen- und Katastrophenmanagement
Heidelberg, Germany Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Maik von der Forst, Dr. med.
- Email: maik.forst@med.uni-heidelberg.de
- Phone: +49 6221-5632939
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.