The Danish Healthcare Quality Institute Publishes its First National Referral Guideline

In October 2026, the Danish Healthcare Quality Institute (DHQI) published its first national referral guideline, following the introduction of a new mandate to develop such guidelines in 2026.

The referral guidelines are intended to establish nationwide criteria for referring patients to existing assessment and treatment services for specified conditions. Their objectives are to:

• Support consistent, high-quality patient care by ensuring that patients receive appropriate assessment and treatment at the right time and level of care;
• Reduce geographical variation in referral practices across Denmark;
• Promote the appropriate use of healthcare resources.

The first guideline addresses corrective plastic surgery following massive weight loss. It establishes nationwide referral criteria, including:

• Specific requirements for body mass index (BMI) reduction following bariatric surgery;
• Symptoms that constitute clinical indications for treatment;
• Eligibility criteria for surgical procedures involving different body areas.

The guideline was approved by the Health Directors' Group of Danish Regions and will take effect on 1 January 2027.

Regional authorities will have primary responsibility for implementation, while DHQI will support the process and assess the need for future updates.

What does it mean for the industry?

The publication marks the introduction of a new national instrument for standardizing patient referrals to existing healthcare services in Denmark. While the first guideline focuses on corrective plastic surgery, the framework may be more broadly relevant as DHQI develops referral guidelines for other clinical areas.

Medical device manufacturers should assess the applicability of the new referral criteria to procedures involving their products, where relevant, and consider future DHQI guidelines when evaluating patient eligibility and access conditions in Denmark.

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