Jena, September 04, 2026 – The Jena University Hospital (UKJ), in collaboration with the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), has launched a pioneering pilot project to specifically combat malnutrition in critically ill patients. The focus is on a newly introduced quality contract that enables comprehensive diagnostics and individually tailored nutritional plans.
- Topic: Pilot project to combat malnutrition
- Stakeholders: Universitätsklinikum Jena & Techniker Krankenkasse Thüringen
- Target groups: Patients with cancer (e.g., multiple myeloma), gastrointestinal diseases, and geriatric patients
- Measures: Comprehensive assessment, clinical nutritional counseling, and follow-up care for home
Vicious Cycle of Therapy and Weight Loss
While treatments such as chemotherapy are life-saving, they often lead to severe side effects in many patients, including difficulty swallowing, nausea, and loss of appetite. The resulting weight loss weakens the immune system and slows down wound healing. The new project addresses this by firmly integrating nutritional therapy with high-end medical care.
The TK state head in Thüringen, Guido Dressel, emphasizes the medical necessity of this step: Previously, it was often not possible to adequately provide cancer patients with supportive, disease-specific nutrition in parallel with their therapy. The new quality contract is intended to close this care gap.
Background: Importance of Quality Contracts in Healthcare
According to surveys by the German Society for Nutritional Medicine, disease-related malnutrition causes costs of up to 8.6 billion euros per year nationwide. Including the Jena University Hospital, only 28 hospitals across Germany have concluded such cross-sector quality contracts to date. The project is being scientifically evaluated on behalf of the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss) to improve standards in the entire German healthcare system in the long term.
Concrete Benefits for Patients in Thüringen
Affected individuals, such as 59-year-old Jena patient Beate Kuhn, who suffers from multiple myeloma, receive professional and needs-based support through the program. The customized, protein-rich diet helps to strengthen the body and minimize muscle loss during cancer therapy. The service also includes the period after the hospital stay and provides patients with concrete options for daily life.
Source:
Cancer: How the Jena Clinic and the health insurance fund aim to improve treatment in Thüringen
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.