Certification as a Continence and Pelvic Floor Center

Certification as a continence and pelvic floor center is a significant step toward improving care for patients of all genders and ages with bladder, bowel, and pelvic floor dysfunction. This certification ensures that the centers in question have the necessary structures, qualifications, and standards to provide high-quality, specialized care in this field. Certification as a Continence and Pelvic Floor Center is offered by the German Continence Society (DKG) in cooperation with the following professional associations:

• German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics e.V.
• German Society of Urology e.V.
• German Society for General and Visceral Surgery e.V.
• German Society for Coloproctology e.V.

What are the responsibilities of interdisciplinary continence and pelvic floor centers?

Interdisciplinary continence and pelvic floor centers are intended to serve as a point of contact for all patients suffering from bladder, bowel, and pelvic floor dysfunction, providing them with comprehensive counseling, care, examination, and treatment. To this end, the services offered by continence and pelvic floor centers should include not only interdisciplinary therapies and surgeries but also public education and informational events. Cooperation with other medical and non-medical specialties is particularly important in this regard. In addition, continuing education and training in the field of continence and pelvic floor disorders, as well as participation in research projects, are among the responsibilities of interdisciplinary continence and pelvic floor centers.

Which specialties are involved in continence and pelvic floor centers?

The diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders of the bladder, bowel, and pelvic floor generally require interdisciplinary collaboration and the involvement of experts from various medical and non-medical specialties. The medical specialties

• Urology,
• gynecology, and
• surgery

constitute the three core areas of interdisciplinary continence and pelvic floor centers. In addition to urology, gynecology, and surgery, other medical specialties are often involved in interdisciplinary continence and pelvic floor centers. These include, for example,

• geriatrics,
• neurology,
• internal medicine or gastroenterology,
• pediatrics and adolescent medicine,
• proctology, and
• Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

To ensure comprehensive and optimal care for affected patients, continence and pelvic floor centers also collaborate with non-medical specialties such as inpatient and outpatient nursing services, physical therapists, day clinics, rehabilitation facilities, medical supply stores, and self-help groups.

Background Information on Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Disorders

The term “incontinence” refers to the inability to voluntarily control the release of bladder contents (urinary incontinence) or bowel contents (fecal incontinence). Common causes of incontinence include pelvic floor disorders such as pelvic organ prolapse. Incontinence and/or pelvic floor disorders remain a taboo subject, even though they are among the most common conditions. It is estimated that 25 to 45 percent of the population suffers from urinary or fecal incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. Women are particularly affected.

The causes of incontinence vary from person to person. For example, muscular, neurogenic, or sensory disorders may be underlying factors. Therefore, a diagnosis should be made as early as possible and in a differentiated manner. In addition, a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s individual needs and problems should be developed. This is best achieved in interdisciplinary continence and pelvic floor centers. Thanks to the interdisciplinary collaboration among the participating specialties, these centers have access to a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Objectives of the Certification of Continence and Pelvic Floor Centers

Certification aims to optimize interdisciplinary collaboration among all participating medical and non-medical specialties for the benefit of affected patients. By promoting and intensifying interdisciplinary collaboration in interdisciplinary continence and pelvic floor centers, the quality of care and treatment for patients is to be ensured and improved. In addition, the initiative seeks to promote subspecializations within the participating disciplines, continuing education and training, research in the field of continence and pelvic floor disorders, and public awareness campaigns.

Certification Requirements

To be certified as a continence and pelvic floor center, facilities must meet strict criteria. These include, among others:

1. Multidisciplinary team: The centers must have a team comprising various medical disciplines, including urologists, gynecologists, surgeons, neurologists, physical therapists, and nurses, all of whom specialize in the treatment of continence and pelvic floor disorders.

2. Qualified Professionals: All professionals working at the center must demonstrate specialized training and qualifications in the field of continence and pelvic floor disorders.

3. Diagnostics and Treatment: Comprehensive diagnostic capabilities and a broad spectrum of conservative and surgical treatment methods must be available. These include, for example, urodynamic testing, pelvic floor exercises, and various surgical procedures.

4. Patient Care and Counseling: The centers must ensure continuous and comprehensive patient care. This also includes detailed counseling and education about the condition, treatment options, and necessary follow-up measures.

5. Quality Management: A certified continence and pelvic floor center must demonstrate an established quality management system. This includes regular staff training, internal and external quality assurance measures, and participation in scientific studies and projects.

Certification Process

The certification process consists of several steps:

1. Application: Interested facilities must submit an application to the German Continence Society, detailing their structures and services.

2. Document Review: The submitted documents are reviewed by a committee of experts from the German Continence Society. This evaluation includes an assessment of personnel and structural requirements, as well as available diagnostic and treatment options.

3. On-site inspection: Following a successful review of the documents, the expert committee conducts an on-site inspection. During this process, the actual on-site conditions are assessed, and discussions are held with the relevant specialists.

4. Certificate Issuance: If the facility meets all requirements, it is awarded certification as a Continence and Pelvic Floor Center. This certificate is generally valid for three years and can be renewed following a re-evaluation.

Conclusion

Certification as a Continence and Pelvic Floor Center is a mark of quality and offers patients the assurance that they are being treated at a specialized and qualified facility. This contributes significantly to improving the quality of care and promoting patients’ health.