Hospital care direct costs due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions related to diabetes mellitus in the Mexican public healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) incur substantial costs on the health system that could be partially avoided with adequate outpatient care. Complications of chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM), are considered ACSC. Previous studies have shown that hospitalizations due to diabetes have a significant financial burden. In Mexico, DM is a major health concern and a leading cause of death, but there is limited evidence available. This study aimed to estimate the direct costs of hospitalizations by DM-related ACSC in the Mexican public health system. METHODS: We selected three hospitals from each of Mexico's main public institutions: the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), the Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Institute of Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE). We employed a bottom-up microcosting approach from the healthcare provider perspective to estimate the total direct costs of hospitalizations for DM-related ACSC. Input data regarding length of stay (LoS), consultations, medications, colloid/crystalloid solutions, procedures, and laboratory/medical imaging studies were obtained from clinical records of a random sample of 532 hospitalizations out of a total of 1,803 DM-related ACSC (ICD-10 codes) discharges during 2016. RESULTS: The average cost per DM-related ACSC hospitalization varies among institutions, ranging from $1,427 in the MoH to $1,677 in the IMSS and $1,754 in the ISSSTE. The three institutions' largest expenses are LoS and procedures. Peripheral circulatory and renal complications were the major drivers of hospitalization costs for patients with DM-related ACSC. Direct costs due to hospitalizations for DM-related ACSC in these three institutions represent 1% of the gross domestic product (GDP) dedicated to health and social services and 2% of total hospital care expenses. CONCLUSIONS: The direct costs of hospitalizations for DM-related ACSC vary considerably across institutions. Disparities in such costs for the same ACSC among different institutions suggest potential disparities in care quality across primary and hospital settings (processes and resource utilization), which should be further investigated to ensure optimal supply utilization. Prioritizing preventive measures for peripheral circulatory and renal complications in DM patients could be highly beneficial.

[Indigenous condition in health services: comparison of quality of care 2012-2018 for poor population.] / La condición indígena en los servicios de salud: comparación de la calidad en la atención 2012-2018 para la población en pobreza.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perception of the quality of ambulatory care in users of health services in 2012 and 2018, by indigenous and non-indigenous condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With information from two population surveys (Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición [Ensanut] 2012 and Ensanut 100k) the quality of care was analyzed based on indicators of structure, process, health outcome and care satisfaction. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2018, the use of private health services increased; favorable opinion about the conditions of the site, and perception of short waiting times decreased among non-indigenous people. In public health services, the supply of medicines remained high, the laboratory and Rx tests in the same care unit and pharma- cology treatment explanation decreased, particularly among non-indigenous patients. Perception of health improvement and satisfaction of care was adequate. CONCLUSIONS: An ambulatory care model aimed to response needs and expectations of the most vulnerable population, mainly the indigenous population, is a priority.

OBJETIVO: Comparar la percepción de la calidad de atención ambulatoria de servicios de salud en 2012 y 2018, por condición indígena y no indígena. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Con información de dos encuestas poblacionales (Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición [Ensanut] 2012 y Ensanut 100k) se analizó la calidad de atención con indicadores de estructura, proceso, resultado en salud y satisfacción. RESULTADOS: Entre 2012 y 2018 aumentó la utilización de servicios privados, disminuyó la buena opinión sobre las condiciones del lugar y la percepción de tiempo de espera corto para utilizadores no indígenas. Para servicios públicos se mantuvo alto el surtimiento de medicamentos, disminuyó la realización de estudios de laboratorio y gabinete en la unidad de atención y la explicación del tratamiento farmacológico principalmente en no indígenas. La percepción de mejoría y la satisfacción fue buena. CONCLUSIONES: Es prioritario un modelo de atención ambulatoria acorde con las necesidades y expectativas de la población más vulnerable y, principalmente, indígena.

La condición indígena en los servicios de salud: comparación de la calidad en la atención 2012-2018 para la población en pobreza / Indigenous condition in health services: comparison of quality of care 2012-2018 for poor population

Resumen: Objetivo: Comparar la percepción de la calidad de atención ambulatoria de servicios de salud en 2012 y 2018, por condición indígena y no indígena. Material y métodos. Con información de dos encuestas poblacionales (Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición [Ensanut] 2012 y Ensanut 100k) se analizó la calidad de atención con indicadores de estructura, proceso, resultado en salud y satisfacción. Resultados: Entre 2012 y 2018 aumentó la utilización de servicios privados, disminuyó la buena opinión sobre las condiciones del lugar y la percepción de tiempo de espera corto para utilizadores no indígenas. Para servicios públicos se mantuvo alto el surtimiento de medicamentos, disminuyó la realización de estudios de laboratorio y gabinete en la unidad de atención y la explicación del tratamiento farmacológico principalmente en no indígenas. La percepción de mejoría y la satisfacción fue buena. Conclusión: Es prioritario un modelo de atención ambulatoria acorde con las necesidades y expectativas de la población más vulnerable y, principalmente, indígena.

Abstract: Objective: To compare the perception of the quality of ambulatory care in users of health services in 2012 and 2018, by indigenous and non-indigenous condition. Materials and methods: With information from two population surveys (Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición [Ensanut] 2012 and Ensanut 100k) the quality of care was analyzed based on indicators of structure, process, health outcome and care satisfaction. Results: Between 2012 and 2018, the use of private health services increased; favorable opinion about the conditions of the site, and perception of short waiting times decreased among non-indigenous people. In public health services, the supply of medicines remained high, the laboratory and Rx tests in the same care unit and pharmacology treatment explanation decreased, particularly among non-indigenous patients. Perception of health improvement and satisfaction of care was adequate. Conclusion: An ambulatory care model aimed to response needs and expectations of the most vulnerable population, mainly the indigenous population, is a priority.

[Tacit and explicit knowledge: comparative analysis of the prioritization of maternal health problems in Mexico]. / Conocimientos tácito y explícito: análisis comparativo de la priorización de problemas de salud materna en México.

OBJECTIVE: To identify coincidences and differences in the identification and prioritization of maternal healthcare service problems in Mexico based on the perspective of tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge that may offer evidence that can contribute to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. METHODS: Mixed study performed in three stages: 1) systematization of maternal healthcare service problems identified by tacit knowledge (derived from professional experience); 2) identification of maternal healthcare service problems in Latin America addressed by explicit knowledge (scientific publications); 3) comparison between the problems identified by tacit and explicit knowledge. RESULTS: The main problems of maternal health services identified by tacit knowledge are related to poor quality of care, while the predominant problems studied in the scientific literature are related to access barriers to health services. Approximately, 70% of the problems identified by tacit knowledge are also mentioned in the explicit knowledge. Conversely, 70% of the problems identified in the literature are also considered by tacit knowledge. Nevertheless, when looking at the problems taken one by one, no statistically significant similarities were found. CONCLUSIONS: The study discovered that the identification of maternal health service problems by tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge is fairly comparable, according to the comparability index used in the study, and highlights the interest of integrating both approaches in order to improve prioritization and decision making towards the Sustainable Development Goals.