[Variability in hospital care. Nasosinus surgery in Spain]. / Variabilidad en la asistencia hospitalaria. El caso de la cirugía nasosinusal en España.

OBJECTIVES: To describe variations in the management of nasosinus disorders among the Autonomous Communities and hospitals of Spain. METHODS: We analyzed the Minimum Basic Data Set of the public health system from 1998-2000 for the diagnoses of nasosinus polyps and chronic sinusitis. We studied the distribution by regions of the rate of hospitalizations and of 4 indicators of quality of care and efficiency: mean length of stay, percentage of discharges without surgery, percentage of functional endoscopic sinus surgery and surgical complications. A cluster analysis was performed to classify hospitals according to the values of these indicators. RESULTS: We analyzed 13061 discharges from 263 hospitals. Marked differences were found in age-adjusted hospitalization rates by regions. Cluster analysis classified the centers with more than 10 annual discharges in 3 categories: a) 32 hospitals in which the 4 quality indicators were above average; b) 35 hospitals in which 3 of the indicators were below average, and c) 74 hospitals in which 2 indicators were above average and 2 indicators were below average. CONCLUSIONS: Marked interregional variations were found in hospitalization rates, as well as in the characteristics of management of nasosinus disorders in Spanish hospitals. The centers examined could be grouped into three clearly defined patterns according to indicators of quality of care and efficiency.

Variabilidad en la asistencia hospitalaria. El caso de la cirugía nasosinusal en España / Variability in hospital care. Nasosinus surgery in Spain

Objetivo: Describir las variaciones en la asistencia de las enfermedades nasosinusales entre comunidades autónomas (CCAA) y hospitales españoles. Métodos: Se analizó el Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos del Sistema Nacional de Salud de los años 1998-2000 para los diagnósticos de pólipos nasosinusales y sinusitis crónica. Se estudió la distribución por CCAA de la tasa de hospitalización y de 4 indicadores de calidad asistencial y eficiencia: estancia media, porcentajes de altas sin intervención, técnicas de cirugía endoscópica nasosinusal y complicaciones posquirúrgicas. Se realizó un análisis de conglomerados para clasificar los hospitales según los valores de dichos indicadores. Resultados: Se analizaron 13.061 altas de 263 hospitales. Se (..) (AU)

Objectives: To describe variations in the management of nasosinus disorders among the Autonomous Communities and hospitals of Spain. Methods: We analyzed the Minimum Basic Data Set of the public health system from 1998-2000 for the diagnoses of nasosinus polyps and chronic sinusitis. We studied the distribution by regions of the rate of hospitalizations and of 4 indicators of quality of care and efficiency: mean length of stay, percentage of discharges without surgery, percentage of functional endoscopic sinus surgery and surgical complications. A cluster analysis was performed to classify hospitals according to the values of these indicators. Results: We analyzed 13061 discharges from 263 hospitals. Marked differences were found in age-adjusted hospitalization rates by regions. Cluster analysis classified the centers with (..) (AU)

[Incorporation of cardiac rehabilitation programs and their characteristics in the Spanish National Health Service]. / Incorporation of cardiac rehabilitation programs and their characteristics in the Spanish National Health Service.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the degree of incorporation of cardiac rehabilitation in the Spanish National Health Service, to describe the characteristics of the programs, and to report on the opinions of those responsible for them regarding their progress. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cardiac rehabilitation centers were identified from different sources. A questionnaire which included items about coverage, resources, activities and services, selection of patients, and opinions was mailed to the heads of all units. RESULTS: Twelve public centers with cardiac rehabilitation programs were identified. Cardiac rehabilitation was offered to 53% of all eligible patients. All units treated patients with myocardial infarction, 64% treated those with heart failure; and 60% high risk patients. Approximately 10-19% of all patients were women. The physicians involved most frequently in programs were cardiologists; nonmedical professionals who participated most often were physiotherapists, and 64% of all units had a staff psychologist. Phase II rehabilitation was provided by all units, and phase III treatment was provided mainly by units that operated in coordination with out-patient services (45%). All units provided physical exercise training and counseling about the disease and risk factors, and 73% of them provided psychological support. The main reasons cited for providing rehabilitation were its efficacy and ability to prevent illness; and the main barriers to more widespread use were lack of resources and support. About three-fourths (73%) of all doctors interviewed thought that primary health care centers could play an important role in rehabilitation programs. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac rehabilitation is poorly implemented in the Spanish National Health Service. The most significant differences between programs were related to the inclusion of high risk patients and with a diagnosis other than myocardial infarction, coordination with out-patient services, and provision of phase III rehabilitation.

Implantación y características de los programas de rehabilitación cardíaca en el Sistema Nacional de Salud español / Incorporation of cardiac rehabilitation programs and their characteristics in the spanish national health service

Objetivos. Estimar el grado de implantación de la rehabilitación cardíaca en el Sistema Nacional de Salud, describir las características de los programas y las opiniones de sus responsables sobre su desarrollo.Pacientes y método. Se identificaron las unidades de rehabilitación cardíaca a partir de diversas fuentes. Se envió un cuestionario postal a sus responsables, con preguntas sobre cobertura, recursos, actividades y servicios, selección de pacientes, y opiniones.Resultados. Se localizaron 12 hospitales públicos que llevaban a cabo rehabilitación cardíaca. Como media, ésta se oferta al 53 por ciento de los pacientes elegibles. Todas las unidades incluyen a pacientes con infarto de miocardio, un 64 por ciento con insuficiencia cardíaca y un 60 por ciento pacientes de alto riesgo. Un 10-19 por ciento de los pacientes son mujeres. Los médicos más implicados son los cardiólogos; los profesionales no médicos que más participan son los fisioterapeutas, y un 64 por ciento de las unidades cuenta con psicólogo. La realización de la fase II es generalizada, y la fase III se realiza más en unidades coordinadas con centros extrahospitalarios (45 por ciento). Además del ejercicio físico, todas las unidades ofrecen consejo sobre la enfermedad y los factores de riesgo, y el 73 por ciento, apoyo psicológico. Las principales motivaciones mencionadas para hacer rehabilitación son su carácter preventivo y la eficacia, y las principales barreras, la falta de medios y apoyo. Se cree que la atención primaria puede desempeñar un papel importante.Conclusiones. La rehabilitación cardíaca está escasamente implantada en el sistema sanitario público. Las mayores diferencias entre programas son la inclusión de pacientes de alto riesgo y con diagnósticos distintos del infarto, la coordinación con centros extrahospitalarios y realización de fase III (AU)