OBJECTIVES: Experiences with generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instruments in German rehabilitation facilities are very limited. The goal of this study was to assess the applicability of EQ-5D as part of the quality management system in a sample of neurological and orthopaedic patients. METHODS: The assessment was implemented as part of the regular optional patient satisfaction evaluation at the outpatient rehabilitation facility in Bielefeld ( Germany). Neurological and orthopaedic patients were surveyed by questionnaire at the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of rehabilitation treatment. The survey period was September to December of 2008. HRQoL was determined by the German version of EQ-5D self-report questionnaire (European tariff) and EQ-VAS (visual analogue scale). Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison of T1 and T2. RESULTS: In total, 99 patient cases (mean age of 52 years, 58% orthopaedic and 32% female) were included in the study. The mean of EQ-5D index score increased from 0.66 (SD = 0.18) to 0.74 (SD = 0.18) at the end of the rehabilitation (statistically significant with p <0,001). Mean VAS utility value improved significantly (p <0,001) from 0.57 (SD = 0.21) at T1 to 0.69 (SD = 0.19) at T2. The percentage of patients with any problems decreased for all five dimensions (mobility: 49% to 32%; self-care: 21% to 12%; usual activities: 66% to 48%; pain/discomfort: 82% to 63%; anxiety/depression: 29% to 24%). CONCLUSIONS: EQ-5D showed good sensitivity and practicability for generic measurement of rehabilitation outcomes and could supplement existing compulsory quality management systems. A comparable and widely accepted assessment of outcome quality also would be of interest for payers (statutory health insurance and pension insurance), owners and patients.