Programa de apoyo al proceso gerencial en los distritos de salud del PSF / Management process support program in PSF's health districts

La monografía recoge un productivo esfuerzo horizontal y bidireccional, entre los equipos de salud de los distritos del ámbito del PSF, los consultores de la firma especializada CODEH INYPSA y los expertos de las Unidades Ejecutoras e Unidad Coordinadora del PSF

Qualidade em serviços públicos: um caso de mudança / Quality in pulic care: a change case

Discute a questäo da qualidade na prestaçäo de serviços públicos, através da análise do caso do processo de mudança de uma organizaçäo hospitalar, de saúde mental, pertencente à rede pública do Sistema Unico de Saúde, em Säo Paulo

[Hospital financing systems: an analysis of trends and a study of the consistency of reform proposals for introduction into public health systems]. / Els sistemes de finançament dels hospitals: anàlisi de tendències i estudi de consistència de les propostes de reforma per a la seva implantació en els sistemes sanitaris públics.

The author comments in this paper on the recent literature on reforms in hospital reimbursement systems. Instead of taking a theoretical approach to this topic, the article adopts a "middle of the road" view, by looking at the consistency of applying some of these reforms (mainly on contract management and DRGs) in Public Health Systems. After recognising some of the existing problems in the management of public hospitals in Spain, the author advocates for a common sense strategy to health reforms in terms of the following: (i) at the time of implementing changes in the hospital sector keep targets defined as simple as possible, (ii) go to reforms through a step-by-step procedure, and (iii) whenever things look complex, use basic "house-keeping" economics, instead of just importing additional economic literature from abroad.

Cooperation and collaboration between a public health unit and midsized private industry in health promotion programming: the Polymer Heart Health Program experience.

In 1990, Cobequid Health Unit was approached by Polymer International, a plastics manufacturer, and planning began for a worksite cardiovascular risk factor screening and follow-up program. In 1991, 302 Polymer employees (89.1%) participated in a screening. Follow-up included smoking cessation programs, fitness opportunities, dietary counselling, and physician referral for further investigation of blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Policy and environmental changes include heart healthy foods at the cafeteria, development of non-smoking policy, and coverage under the corporate group insurance plan for dietary counselling. This process demonstrates the potential for public health and private industry to collaborate in preventive efforts and the principles required for success.

[The contribution of the Department of Health in overseas diet and nutrition]. / La contribution du service de santé en alimentation et nutrition outre-mer.

This article reminds the contribution of Health and Medical Services in overseas territories and other developing countries. Seconded to Health Services, Pasteur Institutes, other scientific research Organisations, and International Organisations (FAO, WHO), medical doctors and pharmacists, properly trained in nutrition, have studied under-nutrition and malnutrition, and their effects on the health of the populations and the economy of their countries. Later, in cooperation with all departments concerned, they have realised a number of applied programmes, aiming at a real improvement in the situation or even the eradication of nutritional deficiencies. However the article deals mainly with actions related to food production and distribution, from the establishment of a national food policy to agriculture planning and evaluation, including specific, applied nutrition programmes in agriculture development and supplementary feeding programmes.

The role of the infection control nurse in quality management in the ambulatory care setting.

Due to the potential for increased HIV and hepatitis B transmission to all healthcare workers, the regulations and guidelines set forth by federal, state, and local government agencies for the prevention of these diseases and the protection of those in the healthcare industry are constantly updated. Because of the magnitude of these demands, the role of the infection control nurse (ICN) has become vitally important. The proper utilization of valuable staff resources will be a positive force in promoting the necessary quality of care to employers, employees, and clients. With the dedication of personnel who assist in the essential infection control function, the ICN can maximize protection of the clients and the staff by reducing their exposure to HIV and hepatitis B.