Rate and direct medical costs of cesarean sections among supplementary health plan holders living in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: 2015-2021. / Taxa e custos médicos diretos de cesáreas em beneficiárias da saúde suplementar no estado de São Paulo, Brasil: 2015 a 2021.

Brazil has the second largest cesarean section rate in the world. Differences in rates exist between the public and private health sectors. This study used data on admissions of supplementary health plan holders aged between 10 and 49 years living in the state of São Paulo admitted between 2015 and 2021 to determine cesarean section rates and costs in the private health sector. We conducted a partial economic analysis in health from a supplementary health perspective focusing on the direct medical costs of admissions. A total of 757,307 admissions were analyzed with total costs amounting to R$7.701 billion. The cesarean section rate over the period was 80%. Rates were lowest in young women (69%) and highest in the oldest age group (86%), exceeding 67% across all groups. The rate was 71% higher than in public services. The proportion of admissions with use of the intensive care unit was higher among cesarian deliveries. The median cost of a cesarean was 15% higher than that of a normal delivery and twice as high in insurance companies than healthcare cooperatives. There is an opportunity to apply policies that are widely used in public services to the private sector with the aim of reducing cesarean rates in private services, direct costs of admission, and the cost of supplementary health plans.

O Brasil tem a segunda maior taxa de cesárea do mundo. Há diferença dessas taxas nos setores públicos e privados. Foram utilizados dados de internação de beneficiárias residentes no estado de São Paulo, internadas entre 2015 e 2021, com idades entre 10 e 49 anos, para verificar as taxas e custos das cesáreas no setor privado. Foi realizado estudo parcial de avaliação econômica em saúde na perspectiva da saúde suplementar considerando custos médicos diretos de internação. Foram analisadas 757.307 internações, com gasto total de R$ 7,701 bilhões. As taxas de cesáreas foram de 80% no período. São menores nas gestantes mais novas (69%) e maiores nas mais velhas (86%), e sempre superiores a 67%. Essa população tem taxas 71% maiores do que aquelas do SUS. Há maior proporção de internações com uso de unidade de terapia intensiva nas cesáreas. O custo mediano da cesárea é 15% maior do que o parto normal e são duas vezes maiores nas seguradoras do que nas cooperativas médicas. Há oportunidade de aplicação de políticas públicas de saúde amplamente utilizadas no Sistema Único de Saúde visando a redução das taxas, dos custos diretos da internação e dos planos de saúde.

Taxa e custos médicos diretos de cesáreas em beneficiárias da saúde suplementar no estado de São Paulo, Brasil: 2015 a 2021 / Rate and direct medical costs of cesarean sections among supplementary health plan holders living in the state of São Paulo, Brazil: 2015-2021

Resumo O Brasil tem a segunda maior taxa de cesárea do mundo. Há diferença dessas taxas nos setores públicos e privados. Foram utilizados dados de internação de beneficiárias residentes no estado de São Paulo, internadas entre 2015 e 2021, com idades entre 10 e 49 anos, para verificar as taxas e custos das cesáreas no setor privado. Foi realizado estudo parcial de avaliação econômica em saúde na perspectiva da saúde suplementar considerando custos médicos diretos de internação. Foram analisadas 757.307 internações, com gasto total de R$ 7,701 bilhões. As taxas de cesáreas foram de 80% no período. São menores nas gestantes mais novas (69%) e maiores nas mais velhas (86%), e sempre superiores a 67%. Essa população tem taxas 71% maiores do que aquelas do SUS. Há maior proporção de internações com uso de unidade de terapia intensiva nas cesáreas. O custo mediano da cesárea é 15% maior do que o parto normal e são duas vezes maiores nas seguradoras do que nas cooperativas médicas. Há oportunidade de aplicação de políticas públicas de saúde amplamente utilizadas no Sistema Único de Saúde visando a redução das taxas, dos custos diretos da internação e dos planos de saúde.

Abstract Brazil has the second largest cesarean section rate in the world. Differences in rates exist between the public and private health sectors. This study used data on admissions of supplementary health plan holders aged between 10 and 49 years living in the state of São Paulo admitted between 2015 and 2021 to determine cesarean section rates and costs in the private health sector. We conducted a partial economic analysis in health from a supplementary health perspective focusing on the direct medical costs of admissions. A total of 757,307 admissions were analyzed with total costs amounting to R$7.701 billion. The cesarean section rate over the period was 80%. Rates were lowest in young women (69%) and highest in the oldest age group (86%), exceeding 67% across all groups. The rate was 71% higher than in public services. The proportion of admissions with use of the intensive care unit was higher among cesarian deliveries. The median cost of a cesarean was 15% higher than that of a normal delivery and twice as high in insurance companies than healthcare cooperatives. There is an opportunity to apply policies that are widely used in public services to the private sector with the aim of reducing cesarean rates in private services, direct costs of admission, and the cost of supplementary health plans.

Impact of children with complex chronic conditions on costs in a tertiary referral hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of complex chronic conditions on the use of healthcare resources and hospitalization costs in a pediatric ward of a public tertiary referral university hospital in Brazil. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study with retrospective data collection. Overall, three one-year periods, separated by five-year intervals (2006, 2011, and 2016), were evaluated. Hospital costs were calculated in three systematic samples of 100 patients each, consisting of patients with and without complex chronic conditions in proportion to their participation in the studied year. RESULTS: Over the studied period, the hospital received 2,372 admissions from 2,172 patients. The proportion of hospitalized patients with complex chronic conditions increased from 13.3% in 2006 to 16.9% in 2016 as a result of a greater proportion of neurologically impaired children, which rose from 6.6% to 11.6% of the total number of patients in the same period. Patients' complexity also progressively increased, which greatly impacted the use of healthcare resources and costs, increasing by 11.6% from 2006 (R$1,300,879.20) to 2011 (R$1,452,359.71) and 9.4% from 2011 to 2016 (R$1,589,457.95). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalizations of pediatric patients with complex chronic conditions increased from 2006 to 2016 in a Brazilian tertiary referral university hospital, associated with an important impact on hospital costs. Policies to reduce these costs in Brazil are greatly needed.

Assessment of preauthorization and 24-hour expert consultation as a restrictive antimicrobial stewardship bundle in a Brazilian tertiary-care hospital: an interrupted time series analysis.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, healthcare facilities face high and often inappropriate consumption of antimicrobials. However, there are limited antimicrobial stewardship (ASP) studies from low- and middle-income countries that include restrictive measures and their impacts on antimicrobial consumption. AIM: This study aims to assess the impact of a restrictive bundle (preauthorization requirements and offering consultation with an infectious diseases physician 24 hours a day) on antimicrobial consumption, in a tertiary hospital in Brazil. METHODS: We conducted an interrupted time series analysis (ITS) with pharmacy-based data from January 2010 to December 2018 to evaluate changes of level and slope in antimicrobial consumption (expressed in DDD/1,000 patient-days) after the implementation of the restrictive bundle in September 2014. Fourteen restricted antimicrobials (amphotericin B deoxycholate, liposomal amphotericin B, micafungin, voriconazole, ganciclovir, amikacin, ampicillin/sulbactam, daptomycin, ertapenem, levofloxacin, linezolid, piperacillin/tazobactam, polymyxin B, and tigecycline) and eight unrestricted were analysed. FINDINGS: Among the 14 restricted antimicrobials, four presented a significant negative level change: micafungin (-2,14, p=.027), voriconazole (-14.72, p<.001), ertapenem (-1.89, p=.007) and amikacin (-13.98, p<.001). The only negative slope change was observed for the liposomal amphotericin B, -0.532 (p=.009). The restricted antibiotics group presented an increased consumption trend (1.068, p=.002) compared to the pre-intervention period, a similar change was observed for the unrestricted antibiotics group (1.360, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Preauthorization and 24 hour expert consultation were partially effective as a restrictive antimicrobial stewardship bundle in a Brazilian tertiary-care hospital. Increased consumption of unrestricted antimicrobials was observed as a side effect of the intervention.

Impact of children with complex chronic conditions on costs in a tertiary referral hospital

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of complex chronic conditions on the use of healthcare resources and hospitalization costs in a pediatric ward of a public tertiary referral university hospital in Brazil. METHODS This is a longitudinal study with retrospective data collection. Overall, three one-year periods, separated by five-year intervals (2006, 2011, and 2016), were evaluated. Hospital costs were calculated in three systematic samples of 100 patients each, consisting of patients with and without complex chronic conditions in proportion to their participation in the studied year. RESULTS Over the studied period, the hospital received 2,372 admissions from 2,172 patients. The proportion of hospitalized patients with complex chronic conditions increased from 13.3% in 2006 to 16.9% in 2016 as a result of a greater proportion of neurologically impaired children, which rose from 6.6% to 11.6% of the total number of patients in the same period. Patients' complexity also progressively increased, which greatly impacted the use of healthcare resources and costs, increasing by 11.6% from 2006 (R$1,300,879.20) to 2011 (R$1,452,359.71) and 9.4% from 2011 to 2016 (R$1,589,457.95). CONCLUSIONS Hospitalizations of pediatric patients with complex chronic conditions increased from 2006 to 2016 in a Brazilian tertiary referral university hospital, associated with an important impact on hospital costs. Policies to reduce these costs in Brazil are greatly needed.

A implantação do Núcleo Interno de Regulação em Hospital Público Terciário ­ A experiência do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo / Implementation of the Internal Regulation Committee in a Tertiary Public Hospital ­ The experience of General Hospital of Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo

RESUMO Introdução: O Núcleo Interno de Regulação (NIR) é uma das estratégias de gestão criadas pela Política Nacional de Atenção Hospitalar do Ministério da Saúde em 2013. Visa a organização do acesso à consultas, serviços diagnósticos e terapêuticos e aos leitos de internação, sendo fundamental o conhecimento do perfil epidemiológico e ajuste de seus processos de trabalho de modo a garantir o fluxo no sistema de saúde. Como as normas para implantação só foram realizadas em 2018, vários serviços implantaram o NIR sem diretrizes e há necessidade de se avaliar o grau de implantação. Objetivo: Avaliar o nível de implantação do NIR em duas unidades de um complexo hospitalar público terciário. Metodologia: Estudo de avaliação, exploratório, descritivo e longitudinal, realizado em duas unidades de internação hospitalar público terciário implantadas no primeiro semestre de 2016 (Unidade de Emergência) e no primeiro semestre de 2017 (Unidade Campus). Resultados: Devido à natureza de sua vocação (eletivo ou urgência), observou-se perfil epidemiológico distinto nas unidades, embora tenha sido possível a construção de processo e análise de SWOT integrada para efeitos de tomada de decisão e planejamento. De acordo com os pilares propostos pelo Manual, ambas em maior ou menor grau apresentam iniciativas recomendadas. Mas, por outro lado, os entrevistados reforçam a necessidade de maior investimento para aprimorar o processo. Conclusão: É necessário o estabelecimento de uma política de implantação dos NIR's com referenciais objetivos que possam ser pontuados e permitam o acompanhamento temporal do seu desenvolvimento. (AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The Internal Regulation Committee (IRC) is one of the management strategies created by the National Health Care Policy of the Ministry of Health in 2013. It aims to organize the access to consultations, diagnostic and therapeutic services and to hospital beds. It is necessary to know the epidemiological profile to adjust its processes to guarantee the flow in the healthcare system. As the standards for implementation were only established in 2018, several services implemented the ICR without guidelines, and there is a need to evaluate the degree of implementation. Objective: To evaluate the level of NIR implantation in two units of a public tertiary hospital complex. Methodology: Exploratory, descriptive and longitudinal study, carried out in two tertiary public hospitalization units implanted in the first half of 2016 (Emergency Unit) and the first half of 2017 (Campus Unit). Results:Due to the nature of their vocation (elective or emergency), a distinct epidemiological profile was observed, although it was possible to construct an integrated SWOT process and analysis for decision--making and planning purposes. According to the principles proposed by the Manual, both presented recommended initiatives to a greater or lesser degree. However, on the other hand, the units inter-viewed reinforce the need for more investment to improve the process. Conclusion: It is necessary to establish a policy for the implementation of NIRs with objective checklists that can be set and allow the temporal monitoring of their development (AU)

Questionnaire to avoid transfers to healthcare: a Brazilian experience.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test whether training correctional facility (CF) officers in the admission process would identify risk factors for inmates' unscheduled transfers to healthcare units in the first 24 hours. Design/methodology/approach Correctional officers (COs) were trained to use a questionnaire with ten closed questions, which seeks to identify occupational or nosocomial risk, applied upon the admission of inmates to a CF. Findings There were 1,288 admissions in six CFs in Ribeirão Preto and Serra Azul/Brazil from March 2010 to May 2011. Of those admissions, 21.2 percent were in penitentiaries and 78.9 percent in provisional detention centers. Of the questionnaires applied, 580 answered affirmatively (45 percent) for one or more of the questions, with nearly 60 percent related to drug use in the last 12 hours, 37.7 percent use of medications while the most frequently mentioned diseases were respiratory diseases (37 percent) and mental disorders (19 percent).The number of positive responses per evaluation presented an odds ratio of 3.6 (CI 95% - 1.6, 10.5) for unscheduled transfers for external clinical evaluation. Research limitations/implications The lack of a control group and the fact that morbidities described by prisoners could not be confirmed are study limitations. The research does, however, still contribute to the goal of achieving appropriate medical care within CFs. Originality/value The training of COs to identify risk factors that predict the need for unplanned transfers to healthcare units was feasible. These findings have important implications for CFs that do not provide ongoing medical service, a universal reality in Brazil.

Clinical Features, Psychiatric Assessment, and Longitudinal Outcome of Suicide Attempters Admitted to a Tertiary Emergency Hospital.

The objective of this study was to characterize admissions to an emergency hospital due to suicide attempts and verify outcomes in 2 years. Data were collected from medical records and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The sample consisted of 412 patients (58.7% women; mean age = 32.6 years old, SD = 14.3). Self-poisoning was the most frequent method (84.0%), and they were diagnosed mainly as depressive (40.3%) and borderline personality disorders (19.1%). Previous suicide attempts and current psychiatric treatment were reported by, respectively, 32.0% and 28.4%. Fifteen patients (3.6%, 9 males) died during hospitalization. At discharge, 79.3% were referred to community-based psychiatric services. Being male (OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.25-3.55), using violent methods (i.e., hanging, firearms, and knives) (OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.02-3.75) and psychiatric treatment history (OR = 2.58; 95% CI = 1.53-4.36) were predictors for psychiatric hospitalization. Of 258 patients followed for 2 years, 10 (3.9%) died (3 suicide), and 24 (9.3%) undertook new suicide attempts. Patients with a history of psychiatric treatment had higher risks of new suicide attempts (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.07-5.65). Suicide attempters admitted to emergency hospitals exhibit severe psychiatric disorders, and despite interventions, they continue to present high risks for suicide attempts and death.

Testes diagnósticos no contexto da avaliação de tecnologias em saúde: abordagens, métodos e interpretação / Diagnostic tests in the context of the health technologies assessment: approaches, methods, and interpretation

As Avaliações de Tecnologias em Saúde (ATS) no mundo todo, predominantemente tem sido focadas em medicamentos, dispositivos médicos terapêuticos e procedimentos, sobretudo, os cirúrgicos. Apesar de sua inquestionável importância na história natural de um grande número de doenças e do impacto econômico associado ao seu uso, os testes e exames diagnósticos (TED), considerando-se suas qualidade se consequentemente a acurácia dos mesmos, tem sido pouco avaliados no contexto da ATS. Há nítida escassez de estudos que avaliam os TED tanto do ponto de vista clínico e de segurança para o paciente, quanto do econômico. O propósito desse artigo é apresentar e discutir os conceitos inerentes ao uso dos TED, as abordagens para seu emprego, as metodologias de avaliação de suas propriedades e acurácia,bem como a interpretação de resultados dos TED, sejam eles realizados individualmente, ou sob a forma de síntese de estudos de acurácia. Espera-se que esse texto possa contribuir para melhor compreensão das especificidades encontradas nos estudos dos TED e estimular sua inclusão nas ATS...

The Health Technology Assessments (HTA) worldwide has been predominantly focused on drugs, medical devices and therapeutic procedures, above all, the surgeries. Despite its unquestionable importance in the natural history of a large number of diseases and of the economic impact associated with its use, the diagnostic exam and tests (DET), considering their qualities and hence the accuracy there of, has been not evaluated in the context of the HTA. There is a clear shortage of studies that evaluate the DET, both clinician and patient safety, and economical. The purpose of this article is to present and discuss the concepts inherent in the use of DET, the approaches to your employ, the methodologies of evaluation of their properties and accuracy, as well as the interpretation of results DET studies, whether performed individually or in the form of synthesis of studies of accuracy. It is hoped that this text may contribute to better understanding of the specifics found in studies of DET and encourage their inclusion in the HTA. I...

Gestão de compras em um hospital de ensino terciário:um estudo de caso um estudo de caso / Purchasing Management in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital: a case study

Modelo do Estudo: Estudo de Caso. Objetivo do Estudo: O presente trabalho visou estudar o processo de compras e programação de materiais de um hospital público de ensino de nível terciário e analisar os perfis de itens de materiais de consumo faltantes em determinado período, com a finalidade de identificar como ferramentas de gestão de materiais podem ajudar na definição de políticas de compras e estoque. Metodologia: O estudo foi elaborado com base em análises qualitativas e quantitativas. As primeiras foram feitas por meio de coleta de dados relativos ao entendimento dos processos e estrutura interna da Divisão de Materiais do Hospital através de observação e entrevistas semi estruturadas entre o período de setembro a novembro de 2013. A relação dos itens faltantes em 2012 e 2013 foi obtida através do sistema de informação da instituição e a partir destes dados foram feitas as análises quantitativas dos perfis destes itens segundo as classificações ABC e VEN (ou XYZ). Resultado: Os resultados apontam que dos 8.595 itens de materiais de consumo do Hospital apenas 5% em quantidade são classificados como A na curva ABC, no entanto tais itens correspondem a 42% em valores. Já os itens vitais representam 49% do valor e 46% em termos de quantidade. Quando analisadas em conjunto, as duas curvas apontam que a maioria das quantidades de materiais de consumo do Hospital são classificados como vitais da curva C (36,35%) e os itens não essenciais da curva A representam tanto em valor como em quantidade a menor parcela de materiais. O perfil dos itens faltantes em 2012 e 2013 são semelhantes,o maior índice de faltas está nos itens vitais da curva C e a menor nos itens não essenciais da curva...

Model Study: Case Study. Purpose of the Study: This study aims to explore the purchasing materials process in a tertiary teaching hospital and analyze the missing items profiles in a given period in order to identify how materials management tools can help optimizing purchasing and inventory policies. Methodology: The study was based on qualitative and quantitative analyses. The first was made by means of collecting data to understand both processes and internal structure of the Materials Division through observation and semi-structured interviews between September-November 2013. A list of missing items in 2012 and 2013 was obtained from system information in order to analyze the profiles of these items according to the ABC and VEN (or XYZ) ratings. Results: The results show that out of 8,595 items of consumable materials, only 5 % in volume are classified as A in ABC curve, however such items correspond to 42 % in value. On the other hand, vital items represent 49 % on value and 46 % in terms of quantity. When analyzed together, the two curves show that most quantities of consumables materials are classified as vital from the C curve (36.35%) where as non-essential items from the A curve represent both in value and in volume the smallest amount portion of materials. The missing items profile in 2012 and 2013 were similar, the highest rate of faults is from vital and C curve materials and the smaller, of nonessentials of the A curve...

Análise do impacto orçamentário causado pela implantação de assinatura digital no Hospital das Clínicas daFaculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Universidade de São Paulo / Budget impact analysis caused by the implantation of digital signature atClinics Hospital of Ribeirão Preto Medical School of University of São Paulo

Com o processo de inovação tecnológica, avanço de redes e softwares, surgem novas formas de catalogação de dados e documentos. No setor de saúde isso corrobora com a melhora do serviço prestado, já que o aumento da demanda requer segurança, rapidez e economia. Este trabalho foi realizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto USP (HCFMRP USP), um hospital terciário que atua na assistência, ensino e pesquisa. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o impacto orçamentário da aquisição e renovação do certificado digital pelo HCFMRP USP com uma análise direta do custo de impressão e aquisição de papel. Para o cálculo do tempo de retorno financeiro utilizou-se o Payback descontado. Verificou-se que o valor investido na aquisição do registro digital será totalmente revertido em aproximadamente menos de um ano, concluindo-se que esta migração é vantajosa em termos econômicos. A economia alcançada com este recurso proporcionará maior capacidade de investimento do hospital em outras áreas...

With the process of technological innovation, networking, and software advances, new forms emergecataloging data and documents. In the health sector it corroborates the improvement of service, as rising demand requires security, speed and economy. This work was performed at Clinics Hospital of RibeirãoPreto Medical School (HCFMRP) of University of São Paulo, a tertiary care hospital that operates in care, teaching and research. This work objective is to analyze the budgetary impact of the acquisition and renewal of digital certificates by HCFMRP with a direct analysis of the cost of printing and paper procurement. To calculate the payback time we used the Discounted Payback. It was verified that the amount invested in the acquisition of the digital record will be totally reversed in less than a year, therefore concluding that this migration is advantageous in economic terms. The savings achieved with this feature will provide greater ability to invest in other areas of the hospital...

Sudden Cardiac Death in Brazil: A Community-Based Autopsy Series (2006-2010) / Morte Súbita Cardíaca no Brasil: Análise dos Casos de Ribeirão Preto (2006-2010)

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a sudden unexpected event, from a cardiac cause, that occurs in less than one hour after the symptoms onset, in a person without any previous condition that would seem fatal or who was seen without any symptoms 24 hours before found dead. Although it is a relatively frequent event, there are only few reliable data in underdeveloped countries. Objective: We aimed to describe the features of SCD in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil (600,000 residents) according to Coroners’ Office autopsy reports. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 4501 autopsy reports between 2006 and 2010, to identify cases of SCD. Specific cause of death as well as demographic information, date, location and time of the event, comorbidities and whether cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was attempted were collected. Results: We identified 899 cases of SCD (20%); the rate was 30/100000 residents per year. The vast majority of cases of SCD involved a coronary artery disease (CAD) (64%) and occurred in men (67%), between the 6th and the 7th decades of life. Most events occurred during the morning in the home setting (53.3%) and CPR was attempted in almost half of victims (49.7%). The most prevalent comorbidity was systemic hypertension (57.3%). Chagas’ disease was present in 49 cases (5.5%). Conclusion: The majority of victims of SCD were men, in their sixties and seventies and the main cause of death was CAD. Chagas’ disease, an important public health problem in Latin America, was found in about 5.5% of the cases. .

Fundamento: Morte súbita cardíaca (MSC) é um evento súbito e inesperado, de causa cardiovascular, que ocorre em menos de uma hora após o início dos sintomas, em indivíduo sem qualquer condição clínica prévia potencialmente fatal ou assintomático nas últimas 24 horas antes do óbito, em caso de morte não testemunhada. Apesar de ser um evento relativamente frequente, há poucos dados confiáveis na literatura sobre países em desenvolvimento. Objetivo: Descrever as características da MSC em Ribeirão Preto (SP 600.000 habitantes) baseando-se nos relatórios de autopsias do Serviço de Verificação de Óbitos do Interior. Métodos: Foram revisados retrospectivamente 4.501 relatórios de autopsias entre 2006 e 2010, para identificar casos de MSC. Foram coletados dados como causa específica do óbito, características demográficas e comorbidades das vítimas, data, local e hora do evento, e se foram realizadas manobras de ressuscitação cardiopulmonar (RCP). Resultados: Foram identificados 899 casos de MSC (20%; razão 30/100.000 habitantes por ano). A principal causa de MSC foi doença arterial coronariana (DAC - 64%), acometendo homens (67%) entre a sexta e a sétima década de vida. A maior parte dos eventos ocorreu durante a manhã, no domicílio (53,3%), e a RCP foi realizada em quase metade das vítimas (49,7%). A comorbidade mais prevalente foi hipertensão arterial sistêmica (57,3%). Doença de Chagas foi detectada em 49 casos (5,5%). Conclusão: A maioria dos casos de MSC ocorreu por DAC em homens entre a sexta e a sétima década de vida. Doença de Chagas, um importante problema de saúde pública na América Latina, foi detectada em 5,5% dos casos. .

Analyses of Budget Impact Considering the Use of the Picture Archiving and Communication System.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the budget impact of using the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) in comparison to the screen/film system. METHODS: The budget impact analysis was conducted on the basis of registry data from the Clinics Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. The budget impacts were compared between the PACS, with high- and low-cost PACS architectures, and the screen/film system by considering reference and alternative scenarios over the course of 5 years. RESULTS: The budget impact associated with the use of PACS was lower than that associated with the use of the screen/film system in all the evaluated scenarios. The low-cost PACS architecture (mini-PACS) had an even lower budget impact, especially in the scenario in which a simulation of lower numbers of medical examinations was performed. CONCLUSIONS: The screen/film system had a high budget impact in all the scenarios evaluated, wherein its costs were higher than the available budget. In contrast, the PACS (high- and low-cost architectures) showed a budget impact that allowed for savings in resources, especially the mini-PACS. Therefore, we recommend the implementation and use of the PACS in health services with any volume of examinations performed.

The need to improve health care in prisons.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze physical structure, working conditions of health professionals and outline of the procedures established in prisons. METHODS: We analyzed 34 provisional detention centers and 69 male and six female prison units in the state of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2009. A self-applied instrument was developed to collect quantitative data on the characteristics of health care structure, equipment and personnel in prisons. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) or equivalent non-parametric tests and Chi-square or Fisher's tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively, between the groups. RESULTS: The main problems were delays in the results of laboratory tests and imaging. With respect to the teams, it was observed that a large majority were in conditions close to those proposed by the Bipartite Commission 2013 but without improvement being reflected in the indicators. With respect to the process, more than 60.0% of prisons located in small towns do not have the structural conditions to ensure secondary or tertiary health care for the continuity of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This profile of prisons in the country can be used for planning and monitoring future actions for the continuous improvement of healthcare processes.

Necessidade de aprimoramento do atendimento à saúde no sistema carcerário / The need to improve health care in prisons

OBJETIVO Analisar a estrutura física, as condições de trabalho dos profissionais da saúde e o delineamento de processos estabelecidos em unidades prisionais. MÉTODOS Foram analisados 34 centros de detenção provisória e 69 unidades prisionais masculinas e seis femininas do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, em 2009. Foi desenvolvido instrumento autoaplicativo para coleta de dados quantitativos sobre as características de estrutura, equipamento e pessoal para atendimento à saúde nas unidades prisionais. A análise de variância (ANOVA) ou equivalente não paramétrico e os testes de Qui-quadrado ou Fisher foram utilizados para comparação de variáveis contínuas ou categóricas, respectivamente, entre os grupos estudados. RESULTADOS Os principais problemas foram o retardo nos resultados de exames laboratoriais e de imagem. Quanto às equipes, grande maioria apresentou condições próximas da proposta pela Comissão InterGestores Bipartite 2013, mas sem que isso se refletisse em melhoria dos indicadores. Com relação ao processo, observou-se que mais de 60,0% das unidades prisionais estão localizadas em cidades pequenas, sem condições estruturais de saúde para garantir o atendimento secundário ou terciário para continuidade do processo de tratamento. CONCLUSÕES O perfil apresentado das unidades prisionais do País poderá ser utilizado para planejamento e acompanhamento de ações futuras para melhoria contínua das condições estruturais de saúde. .

OBJECTIVE To analyze physical structure, working conditions of health professionals and outline of the procedures established in prisons. METHODS We analyzed 34 provisional detention centers and 69 male and six female prison units in the state of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, in 2009. A self-applied instrument was developed to collect quantitative data on the characteristics of health care structure, equipment and personnel in prisons. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) or equivalent non-parametric tests and Chi-square or Fisher’s tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively, between the groups. RESULTS The main problems were delays in the results of laboratory tests and imaging. With respect to the teams, it was observed that a large majority were in conditions close to those proposed by the Bipartite Commission 2013 but without improvement being reflected in the indicators. With respect to the process, more than 60.0% of prisons located in small towns do not have the structural conditions to ensure secondary or tertiary health care for the continuity of treatment. CONCLUSIONS This profile of prisons in the country can be used for planning and monitoring future actions for the continuous improvement of healthcare processes. .

Under-reporting of accidents involving biological material by nursing professionals at a Brazilian emergency hospital.

BACKGROUND: Pathogens can be transmitted to health professionals after contact with biological material. The exact number of infections deriving from these events is still unknown, due to the lack of systematic surveillance data and under-reporting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out, involving 451 nursing professionals from a Brazilian tertiary emergency hospital between April and July 2009. Through an active search, cases of under-reporting of occupational accidents with biological material by the nursing team were identified by means of individual interviews. The Institutional Review Board approved the research project. RESULTS: Over half of the professionals (237) had been victims of one or more accidents (425 in total) involving biological material, and 23.76% of the accidents had not been officially reported using an occupational accident report. Among the underreported accidents, 53.47% were percutaneous and 67.33% were bloodborne. The main reason for nonreporting was that the accident had been considered low risk. CONCLUSIONS: The under-reporting rate (23.76%) was low in comparison with other studies, but most cases of exposure were high risk.

Avaliação e incorporação de tecnologias em saúde: processo e metodologia adotados por um hospital universitário de alta complexidade assistencial / Evaluation and incorporation of health technologies: process and methodology adopted by a high-complexity care university / Evaluación e incorporación de tecnologías de salud: proceso y metodología adoptados en un hospital universitario de alta complejidad

As transições demográfica e epidemiológica tendem a fazer os hospitais cada vez mais necessários à assistência médica. Neles, as tecnologias eficazes, custo-efetivas e seguras, garantem melhor qualidade assistencial e maior sobrevida aos usuários. Assim, a avaliação dessas tecnologias baseada em hospital é prática aconselhável, o que se verifica em todo o mundo. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar um modelo de avaliação e incorporação de tecnologia em um hospital universitário de alta complexidade. Trata-se de uma descrição de métodos/processos avaliativos que podem ser facilmente adotados por qualquer unidade hospitalar independentemente de sua natureza. Observou-se que o modelo adotado tem possibilitado a adequada avaliação de tecnologias em saúde (ATS), legitimando as decisões de incorporação pelo gestor, com boa aceitação e aderência do corpo clínico. Assim, a ATS em hospital, por empregar processos bem estruturados, consensuais e com apoio da gestão institucional, pode ser uma ferramenta poderosa para disseminação e valorização da cultura de se avaliarem tecnologias em saúde.

The demographic and epidemiological transitions tend to increase the role of hospitals in medical care. Within such organizations, effective, safe, and cost-effective health technologies ensure better quality of care and increase users' survival, thus emphasizing the importance of evaluation of such hospital-based technologies. This article aims to present a model for the evaluation and incorporation of technology in a teaching hospital that provides high-complexity care. The article describes an approach to methods/processes assessment that can be used easily by any hospital. The model allowed proper health technology assessment (HTA), thereby legitimizing decisions on technology incorporation by the hospital administration with high levels of acceptance and adoption by the clinical staff, suggesting that hospital-based HTA (provided that it is well-structured, with the support of institutional administration) can be a powerful tool for dissemination and valorization of HTA culture in an environment with the widest use and the greatest impact on the health system's budget.

Las transiciones demográficas y epidemiológicas tienden a convertir a los hospitales en servicios cada vez más necesarios. En ellos las tecnologías eficaces, rentables y seguras, garantizan una mejor calidad de atención y una supervivencia más amplia a los usuarios, por lo que se aconseja evaluar, basándose en la práctica hospitalaria, los recursos existentes alrededor del mundo. El propósito de este artículo es presentar un mode-lo de evaluación e incorporación de tecnología en un hospital universitario de alta complejidad. Esta es una descripción de métodos/procesos de evaluación que pueden ser utilizados por cualquier unidad hospitalaria independientemente de su naturaleza. Se observó que el modelo adoptado ha permitido la evaluación de la tecnología de salud, ha legitimado las decisiones de su incorporación por parte del administrador, con una buena aceptación y adhesión del personal clínico, indicando que la evaluación de tecnologías en salud (ETS) en un hospital, empleando procesos bien estructurados, de consenso y con el apoyo de la gestión institucional, puede ser una poderosa herramienta para la difusión y valorización de la cultura en ETS.

[Evaluation and incorporation of health technologies: process and methodology adopted by a high-complexity care university]. / Avaliação e incorporação de tecnologias em saúde: processo e metodologia adotados por um hospital universitário de alta complexidade assistencial.

The demographic and epidemiological transitions tend to increase the role of hospitals in medical care. Within such organizations, effective, safe, and cost-effective health technologies ensure better quality of care and increase users' survival, thus emphasizing the importance of evaluation of such hospital-based technologies. This article aims to present a model for the evaluation and incorporation of technology in a teaching hospital that provides high-complexity care. The article describes an approach to methods/processes assessment that can be used easily by any hospital. The model allowed proper health technology assessment (HTA), thereby legitimizing decisions on technology incorporation by the hospital administration with high levels of acceptance and adoption by the clinical staff, suggesting that hospital-based HTA (provided that it is well-structured, with the support of institutional administration) can be a powerful tool for dissemination and valorization of HTA culture in an environment with the widest use and the greatest impact on the health system's budget.

Percepções de alunos de medicina sobre marketing médico / Undergraduate medical student's perceptions regarding professional marketing

INTRODUÇÃO: Marketing médico é um assunto controverso, principalmente no que concerne a princípios éticos. Portanto, frente à competição acirrada de mercado, é necessário o preparo profissional. Conhecer a percepção dos alunos de Medicina pode auxiliar na estruturação de alternativas de capacitação. METODOLOGIA: Inicialmente, identificaram-se crenças sobre marketing médico através de grupo focal composto por 12 alunos. Com base nesses dados, dez afirmações para avaliar atitudes foram aplicadas aos alunos de uma Faculdade de Medicina pública brasileira. RESULTADOS: Observou-se falta de clareza sobre o conceito de marketing, preocupação com princípios éticos e necessidade de marketing no mercado competitivo. Na fase de aplicação, foram obtidas 280 respostas de diversos estágios do curso. Apenas 16,8% admitiram contato com o tema. Houve clareza sobre ética em relação ao paciente, influenciada positivamente pela progressão no curso, mas houve divergência na ética entre profissionais. CONCLUSÕES: Marketing médico é uma área pouco compreendida e relegada ao currículo oculto, sendo influenciada por transposições inadequadas de métodos didáticos destinados à comunicação profissional para a população leiga. Novos métodos de ensino, como a educação tutorial, podem ser uma alternativa para lidar com essas situações.

BACKGROUND: Professional marketing is a controversial topic, mainly regarding ethical principles. Therefore, increasing market competion turns professional capacitation mandatory. To know under graduation medical student's perceptions could help to develop educational alternatives to face this problem. METODOLOGY: First, professional marketing believes were identified through focus group methodology including twelve students. Based on these results, ten affirmatives were constructed to evaluate attitudes and applied to the students of a Brazilian public medicine school. RESULTS: It was observed lack of a clear definition of marketing, preoccupation regarding ethical principles and need to employ marketing strategies in a competitive market. At the survey stage, 280 answers from different stages of the course were obtained. Only 16.8% admitted to have had previous contact with the topic. Clear ethical standards for medical-patient relationship were determined, increasing with course progression. However inter-professional ethical principles was more subject to confusion. CONCLUSION: Professional marketing is poorly understood and it is relegated to the occult curricula, being influenced by didactic methods inadequately transposed for marketing strategies. Newer educational methods, like mentoring, could be an alternative to deal with these situations.Tutoria.

Regulação médica em emergência pela plataforma web: um estudo piloto / Regulación médica en emergencia por la plataforma web: un estudio piloto / Emergency medical coordination using a web platform: a pilot study

OBJETIVO: Descrever um sistema gestor de regulação médica em emergência baseado na rede mundial de computadores. MÉTODOS: O Sistema de Regulação de Urgências e Emergências foi desenvolvido segundo modelo evolutivo de software de prototipação. A comunicação entre os usuários e o sistema foi implementada utilizando tecnologias web; o sistema foi desenvolvido em personal home page (PHP) e o banco de dados, em MySQL. O protótipo foi baseado no processo de regulação médica da Divisão Regional de Saúde XIII do Estado de São Paulo e aplicado a 26 municípios dessa regional durante quatro semanas consecutivas em setembro de 2009. O sistema possibilitou a documentação das solicitações em ordem cronológica, sem permitir edição de dados já inseridos e garantindo o acesso hierarquizado e sigiloso às informações para cada participante do sistema. RESULTADOS: O sistema apresentou 100 por cento de disponibilidade, confiabilidade e integridade da informação. Foram realizadas 1.046 solicitações ao sistema, das quais 703 (68 por cento) foram completadas. Os solicitantes apresentaram 98 por cento de adesão ao sistema na primeira semana de aplicação, e a adesão dos prestadores de serviço foi gradativa (37 por cento na quarta semana). Os municípios mais próximos de Ribeirão Preto que não possuem prestadores de alta complexidade foram os que mais utilizaram o sistema. CONCLUSÕES: A regulação médica de solicitações de emergência pela rede mundial de computadores mostrou-se exeqüível e confiável, possibilitando a transparência do processo e acesso direto às informações por parte dos gestores. Possibilitou a construção de indicadores para monitorizar e aprimorar o processo, na perspectiva da criação de uma regulação semi-automatizada e de avanços na organização do sistema.

OBJETIVO: Describir un sistema gestor de regulación médica en emergencia basada en la red mundial de computadores. MÉTODOS: El Sistema de Regulación de Urgencias y Emergencias fue desarrollado según modelo evolutivo de software de prototipación. La comunicación entre los usuarios y el sistema fue implementada utilizando tecnologías web; el sistema fue desarrollado en personal home page (PHP) y el banco de datos, en MySQL. El prototipo fue basado en el proceso de regulación médica de la División Regional de Salud XIII del Estado de Sao Paulo (Sureste de Brasil) y aplicado a 26 municipios de esta regional durante caro semanas consecutivas en septiembre de 2009. El Sistema posibilitó la documentación de las solicitudes en orden cronológico, sin permitir edición de datos ya insertados y garantizando el acceso jerarquizado y sigiloso a las informaciones de cada participante del sistema. RESULTADOS: El Sistema presentó 100% de disponibilidad, confiabilidad e integridad de la información. Se realizaron 1.046 solicitudes al sistema, de las cuales 703 (68%) fueron completadas Los solicitantes presentaron 98% de adhesión al sistema en la primera semana de aplicación, y la adhesión de los prestadores de servicio fue gradual, (37% en la cuarta semana). Los municipios más próximos de Ribeirao Preto que no poseen prestadores de alta complejidad fueron los que más utilizaron el Sistema. CONCLUSIONES: La regulación médica de solicitudes de emergencia por la red mundial de computadores se mostró exequible y confiable, posibilitando la transparencia del proceso y acceso directo a las informaciones por parte de los gestores. Posibilitó la construcción de indicadores para monitorizar y mejorar el proceso, en la perspectiva de la creación de una regulación semi-automatizada y de avances en la organización del sistema.