The economic burden of Chagas disease: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected disease affecting millions worldwide, yet little is known about its economic burden. This systematic review is part of RAISE project, a broader study that aims to estimate the global prevalence, mortality, and health and economic burden attributable to chronic CD and Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. The objective of this study was to assess the main costs associated with the treatment of CD in both endemic and non-endemic countries. METHODS: An electronic search of the Medline, Lilacs, and Embase databases was conducted until 31st, 2022, to identify and select economic studies that evaluated treatment costs of CD. No restrictions on place or language were made. Complete or partial economic analyses were included. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included, with two-thirds referring to endemic countries. The most commonly investigated cost components were inpatient care, exams, surgeries, consultation, drugs, and pacemakers. However, significant heterogeneity in the estimation methods and presentation of data was observed, highlighting the absence of standardization in the measurement methods and cost components. The most common component analyzed using the same metric was hospitalization. The mean annual hospital cost per patient ranges from $25.47 purchasing power parity US dollars (PPP-USD) to $18,823.74 PPP-USD, and the median value was $324.44 PPP-USD. The lifetime hospital cost per patient varies from $209,44 PPP-USD for general care to $14,351.68 PPP-USD for patients with heart failure. DISCUSSION: Despite the limitations of the included studies, this study is the first systematic review of the costs of CD treatment. The findings underscore the importance of standardizing the measurement methods and cost components for estimating the economic burden of CD and improving the comparability of cost components magnitude and cost composition analysis. Finally, assessing the economic burden is essential for public policies designed to eliminate CD, given the continued neglect of this disease.

Price setting in the Brazilian private health insurance sector.

Brazil's private health insurance market is the second largest in the world, behind only the United States, making it a valuable source of real-world evidence. This paper documents how physicians' inpatient reimbursement fees vary in the country and explores the relationship between these fees and the market share of health providers and health insurance companies. We implement a fixed-effects panel regression and take advantage of an unprecedented database that contains national administrative records of inpatient procedures paid by health insurance companies in 2016. We find a positive correlation between reimbursement for ICU procedures and provider market share. Conversely, we observe a negative correlation with insurers' market share. Additionally, we document substantial variation in procedure prices, both across and within Brazilian states, and observe that more competitive markets in Brazil tend to have higher population and GDP levels. Overall, our research enhances our understanding of the price setting dynamics of physician reimbursement fees in the context of a developing country. The insights gained from this study can assist policymakers in formulating appropriate regulations to ensure appropriate access to healthcare services.

HBA1C point-of-care testing for diabetes control in a low-income population: A before and after study and cost-parity analysis HbA1c point-of-care testing for diabetes control.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of a program that offered access to HbA1c POC tests for the glycemic control of patients with diabetes in small and poor municipalities of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: Using a before and after study, we compared four groups: patients submitted to (i) POC tests; (ii) conventional tests; (iii) both tests; and (iv) neither test. The analysis considered three periods: before the program; before the pandemic; and during the pandemic. A cost comparison was conducted under the societal perspective and a cost-parity model was designed. RESULTS: 1349 patients previously diagnosed with diabetes were included in the analysis. The rate of consultations and the rate of HbA1c testing were significantly different between all periods and groups. Group iii had a much higher consultation and testing rate. The costs were around 89.45 PPP-USD for POC tests and between 32.44 and 54.66 PPP-USD for conventional tests. Cost-parity analysis suggests that the technology would be acceptable if the annual number of tests was between 247 and 771. CONCLUSION: Using POC devices improved access to HbA1c testing but not glycemic control. Even in small towns, the number of tests necessary to achieve cost-parity is low enough to enable their incorporation into the public health system.

Spatial reorganization of the Brazilian Unified National Health System's inpatient care supply.

The joint provision of efficient and equitable healthcare service delivery is a critical factor in improving social welfare. However, healthcare services pose a particular challenge when balancing healthcare provider efficiency and equity. Typically characterized by economies of scale and scope, inpatient care involves a wide variety of medical care that usually demands a broad range of health professional expertise and technological complexity to ensure health care quality. This study analyzes the current spatial organization of the Brazilian general hospitals and their respective flow of patients to identify the possible benefits of closing inefficient hospitals. We studied how inpatient care referrals may be reallocated without increasing access inequities following the potential closure of inefficient public hospitals. We used data from the Brazilian Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SIH/SUS) and the Brazilian National Register of Health Establishments (CNES). The smallest and least efficient hospitals were selected as units for potential closure, conditioned on an optimization criterion that minimizes patient travel distances to the nearest efficient hospital. Our results show that there is room for hospital resource reorganization in Brazil without compromising health care access equity.

Census of Brazilian social health organizations: survey and characterization

Objective: To identify and characterize the Brazilians' establishments managed by the Social Health Organizations (OSS). Methods: The identification of these establishments was carried out through primary research on four search procedures on the websites of the health departments of the states and municipalities, and consultation on the websites of the OSS and in the Survey of Basic Municipal Information of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 2018. A descriptive analysis of the establishments managed by OSS was carried out comparing with the AD according to hospital indicators. Results: The OSS are concentrated mainly in the Southeast and South of the country, with 69% of these establishments are being managed by 20 social responsibility organizations. The establishments managed by OSS are concentrated mainly in the Southeast and South of the country, with 69% of these establishments managed by 20 OSS. The characterization of the hospitals shows that the OSS has a better performance than DA; however, the difference decreases as the size increases. Larger hospitals performed better than other sizes, and this is where the highest proportion of OSS is concentrated among hospitals. Conclusion: This is the first work that surveys the OSS at the national level. This list of OSS is an important tool for planning, monitoring, and organizing the structure of service provision in public health in Brazil. The results found demonstrate the need to organize an administrative database that allows a temporal monitoring of the establishments.

Censo das organizações sociais de saúde brasileiras: levantamento e caracterização / Census of Brazilian social health organizations: survey and characterization

Objetivo: Identificar e caracterizar os estabelecimentos geridos por Organizações Sociais de Saúde (OSSs) no Brasil. Métodos: A identificação desses estabelecimentos foi realizada mediante quatro procedimentos de busca por meio de pesquisa primária nos sítios das secretarias de saúde dos estados e dos municípios e consulta nos sítios das OSS e na Pesquisa de Informações Básicas Municipais do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), em 2018. Foi realizada uma análise descritiva dos estabelecimentos geridos por OSS comparando com as Administrações Diretas (ADs) segundo indicadores hospitalares. Resultados: Os estabelecimentos geridos por OSSs estão concentrados principalmente no Sudeste e no Sul do país, e 69% desses estabelecimentos são geridos por 20 OSSs. As OSSs estão mais presentes em hospitais-dia, seguidos de prontos atendimentos e de hospitais. A caracterização dos hospitais mostrou que aqueles administrados por OSSs apresentam melhor desempenho; contudo as diferenças diminuem à medida que se aumenta o porte do serviço. Os hospitais de maior porte apresentaram melhor desempenho em relação aos demais e é onde está concentrada a maior proporção de OSSs entre os hospitais. Conclusão: Este é o primeiro trabalho que faz uma identificação das OSSs em nível nacional. Essa listagem das OSSs é um instrumento importante de planejamento, monitoramento e organização da estrutura de oferta de serviços no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Os resultados encontrados demonstram a necessidade de organização de uma base de dados administrativa que permita um acompanhamento do desempenho dos estabelecimentos no tempo.

Objective: To identify and characterize the Brazilians' establishments managed by the Social Health Organizations (OSS). Methods: The identification of these establishments was carried out through primary research on four search procedures on the websites of the health departments of the states and municipalities, and consultation on the websites of the OSS and in the Survey of Basic Municipal Information of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 2018. A descriptive analysis of the establishments managed by OSS was carried out comparing with the AD according to hospital indicators. Results: The OSS are concentrated mainly in the Southeast and South of the country, with 69% of these establishments are being managed by 20 social responsibility organizations. The establishments managed by OSS are concentrated mainly in the Southeast and South of the country, with 69% of these establishments managed by 20 OSS. The characterization of the hospitals shows that the OSS has a better performance than DA; however, the difference decreases as the size increases. Larger hospitals performed better than other sizes, and this is where the highest proportion of OSS is concentrated among hospitals. Conclusion: This is the first work that surveys the OSS at the national level. This list of OSS is an important tool for planning, monitoring, and organizing the structure of service provision in public health in Brazil. The results found demonstrate the need to organize an administrative database that allows a temporal monitoring of the establishments.

Medical adhesive-related skin injuries in the neonatology department of a teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Medical adhesives are used to affix components to the skin. They are part of procedures performed by medical specialties because of their participation as constituents of different products, such as tapes, dressings, and electrodes. AIM: This study aims to assess the prevalence of, and factors associated with, the development of medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSIs) in patients treated with medical tapes in the neonatology department of a large teaching hospital in Brazil. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: All premature newborns (gestational age from 28 to <37 weeks) admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a teaching hospital, from March to August 2019, were followed up. Neonate skin condition was assessed based on the Neonatal Skin Condition Scale (NSCS). Data analyses were conducted in R software. RESULTS: In total, 46 premature newborns were included in the study; 552 evaluations were performed-mean of 11.7 per patient. Most neonates (n = 41; 89.1%) used adhesive tapes, either paper tape (n = 37; 80.4%) or transparent film dressing (n = 34; 73.9%). Newborns' face and head were the most affected body regions (n = 125; 50.2%). Eight patients had MARSIs (19.5% of patients who used tape). NSCS scores (P value <.001) and the adopted warming system (P value = .01302) were associated with the occurrence of MARSIs. Incubators seem to be a protective factor for MARSI (OR = 0.048; IC95% = 0.0008-0.75; P value = .013). CONCLUSION: Adhesive tapes in premature newborns should be considered a risk factor for injuries. Although NSCS showed mild-to-moderate impairment and lesion severity was low, this event is relatively frequent in neonatal units. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Awareness of the risk associated with adhesive tape application and removal in newborns allow health services to better address the problem by enforcing good practices, elaborating better protocols, qualifying the health care professionals, and potentially selecting softer tapes for neonates.

Enough with the madness: a systematic review and meta-analysis of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 / Chega de loucura: uma revisão sistemática e metanálise de hidroxicloroquina para COVID-19

Objective: Because of preliminary results from in vitro studies, ydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine (CQ) have been proposed as possible treatments for COVID-19, but the clinical evidence is discordant. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CQ and HCQ for the treatment of COVID-19. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed. An electronic search was conducted in four databases for randomized controlled trials that compared HCQ or CQ with standard-of-care. A complementary search was performed. A quantitative synthesis of clinical outcomes was performed using the inverse variance method adjusting for a random-effects model. Results: In total, 16 studies were included. The meta-analysis found no significant difference between intervention and control groups in terms of mortality at the most extended follow-up (RR = 1.09, CI95% = 0.99-1.19, p-value = 0.08), patients with negative PCR results (RR = 0.99, CI95% = 0.89-1.10, p-value = 0.86), or serious adverse events (RR = 2.21, CI95% = 0.89-5.47, p-value = 0.09). HCQ was associated with an increased risk of adverse events (RR = 2.28, CI95% = 1.36-2.83, p-value < 0.01). The quality of evidence varied from very low to high. Conclusion: There is no evidence that HCQ reduces the risk of death or improves cure rates in patients with COVID-19, but it might be associated with an increased risk of adverse events

Objetivo: Devido aos resultados preliminares de estudos in vitro, a hidroxicloroquina (HCQ) e a cloroquina (CQ) foram propostas como possíveis tratamentos para a COVID-19, mas as evidências clínicas são discordantes. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a segurança e a eficácia da CQ e HCQ no tratamento da COVID-19. Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática com metanálise. Uma busca eletrônica foi realizada em quatro bancos de dados por ensaios clínicos randomizados que compararam a HCQ ou CQ com o tratamento-padrão. Uma busca complementar foi realizada. Uma síntese quantitativa dos resultados foi realizada usando o método de variância inversa para um modelo de efeitos aleatórios. Resultados: No total, 16 estudos foram incluídos. A metanálise não encontrou nenhuma diferença significativa entre os grupos de intervenção e controle em termos de mortalidade no acompanhamento mais longo (RR = 1,09, IC95% = 0,99-1,19, valor-p = 0,08), pacientes com resultados de PCR negativos (RR = 0,99, IC95% = 0,89-1,10, valor-p = 0,86) ou eventos adversos graves (RR = 2,21, IC95% = 0,89-5,47, valor-p = 0,09). HCQ foi associada a um risco aumentado de eventos adversos (RR = 2,28, IC95% = 1,36-2,83, valor-p < 0,01). A qualidade da evidência variou de muito baixa a alta. Conclusão: Não há evidências de que a HCQ reduza o risco de morte ou aumente a taxa de cura em pacientes com COVID-19, mas pode estar associada a um risco aumentado de eventos adversos

Estimation of Health-Related Quality of Life Losses Owing to a Technological Disaster in Brazil Using EQ-5D-3L: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: In 2015, a dam collapsed at Samarco iron ore mine in the municipality of Mariana, Brazil, and contaminated more than 600 km of watercourses and destroyed almost 1600 acres of vegetation. Nineteen people died and more than 600 families lost their homes. This study aimed to estimate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) losses owing to this disaster. METHODS: We collected data from a probabilistic sample of 459 individuals aged 15 years or older. Household face-to-face interviews were conducted in December 2018. Pre-event data were not available for this population, so respondents were asked to evaluate at present and in retrospect their health status using EQ-5D-3L. The Minas Gerais societal value sets for EQ-5D-3L health preferences, estimated in 2011, were used to calculate utility losses. The health loss estimation from EQ-5D will form the basis for the calculation of compensation payments for the victims. RESULTS: Approximately 74% of the study population suffered some HRQoL loss. On average, EQ-5D index values decreased from 0.95 to 0.76. The greatest effects were observed for the anxiety/depression dimension, followed by pain/discomfort. Before the tragedy, the proportion of individuals with severe anxiety/depression and pain/discomfort was equal to 1% rising to 23% and 11%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Catastrophic losses owing to the Samarco disaster were found. The EQ-5D-3L instrument showed feasibility and sensitiveness to measure HRQoL losses owing to a negative health shock in a low-income Brazilian population.

Correction: Transition to universal primary health care coverage in Brazil: Analysis of uptake and expansion patterns of Brazil's Family Health Strategy (1998-2012).

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201723.].

Análise da concordância entre as informações reportadas pelas mães e dos cartões de vacina das crianças no Brasil (2013 e 2015) / Analysis of the agreement between information on child vaccination reported by mothers and that on the children's vaccination cards in Brazil (2013-2015)

Resumo Introdução Este trabalho discute a possibilidade de utilização de informações sobre a vacinação infantil reportada pelas mães em inquéritos domiciliares para a construção de indicadores de cobertura vacinal no Brasil. Objetivo Avaliar o potencial das informações declaradas pelas mães sobre a imunização das crianças em inquéritos domiciliares como uma fonte para o cálculo do indicador de cobertura vacinal. Método Analisaram-se os indicadores de confiabilidade (precisão) e validade (concordância) entre as informações disponíveis nos cartões de vacina das crianças menores de 2 anos e as informações reportadas pelas mães em pesquisas domiciliares realizadas nos anos de 2013 e 2015 no município de Santo Antônio do Monte, Minas Gerais. Resultados O principal resultado mostra que, em um contexto de alta cobertura, as mães tendiam a informar sobre a vacinação de seus filhos de forma aleatória, ou seja, informações reportadas pelas mães apresentavam baixa validade. Conclusão Embora a coleta de informações dos cartões de vacina das crianças seja um procedimento mais custoso, essa é a forma mais adequada e confiável de se mensurar a cobertura vacinal no contexto brasileiro.

Abstract Background This study discusses the possibility of using information on child vaccination reported by mothers through household surveys to construct indicators of immunization coverage in Brazil. Objective Evaluate the potential of information reported by mothers on the immunization of children in household surveys as a source to calculate a vaccination coverage indicator. Method The indicators of reliability (accuracy) and validity (concordance) between the information available on the vaccination cards of children under two years of age and that reported by mothers in two household surveys conducted in 2013 and 2015 in the municipality of Santo Antônio do Monte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Results The main result shows that, in a context of high coverage, the mothers tended to inform randomly about the vaccination of their children, that is, the information reported by mothers presented low validity. Conclusion Although collecting information from children's vaccination cards is a more costly procedure, it is the most adequate and reliable way to measure vaccination coverage in the Brazilian context.

Rotational thromboelastometry in the perioperative period of cardiac surgeries: cost-effectiveness analysis and budget impact / Tromboelastometria rotacional no período perioperatório de cirurgias cardíacas: custo-efetividade e impacto orçamentário

Objective: The transfusion of blood components and blood products in cardiac surgery patients can be guided by protocols based on standard laboratory tests and/or clinical decisions (Standardof-Care, SOC) or viscoelastic haemostatic assays (VHA). The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of VHAs compared to SOC. Methods: A decision tree model was built in TreeAge Pro® 2009. Costs and benefits were taken from the medical literature. The costeffectiveness was evaluated in a base-case scenario and a worst-case scenario, considering low costs of adverse events. The budget impact was evaluated from data taken from Datasus. Cost data were measured in 2019 USD and outcomes were measured in QALYs. Results: VHAs were considered dominant in the base-case scenario and very cost-effective in the worst-case scenario (ICER = $ 1,083.21 USD/QALY). The budget impact analysis varied from a cost-saving result in the base-case scenario to a reasonable increase in cost in the worst-case scenario. Since the total market share of the technology is unlikely, a reasonable estimative for the base-case scenario and the worst-case scenario are about -$275 million USD and $132 million USD, respectively. Conclusion: We conclude that the VHAs are cost-effective and should be recommended for the use in the perioperative period of cardiac surgeries, especially for patients with a high risk of hemorrhage or coagulation problems.

Objetivo: A transfusão de sangue, hemocomponentes e produtos sanguíneos em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca pode ser guiada por protocolos baseados em testes laboratoriais padrão e/ou decisão clínica (Standard-of-Care, SOC) ou testes viscoelásticos (TVEs). O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o custo-efetividade e o impacto orçamentário dos TVEs em comparação com o SOC. Métodos: Um modelo de árvore de decisão foi construído em TreeAge Pro® 2009. Os parâmetros de custos e benefícios foram obtidos da literatura médica. A relação custo-efetividade foi avaliada em um cenário-base e no pior cenário, considerando baixos custos de eventos adversos. O impacto orçamentário foi avaliado a partir de dados extraídos do Datasus. Os custos foram avaliados em USD 2019 e os desfechos em AVAQs. Resultados: Os TVEs foram considerados dominantes no cenário-base e muito custo-efetivos no pior cenário avaliado (RCEI = 1.083,21 USD/QALY). A análise de impacto orçamentário variou de um resultado de economia de custos no cenário-base a um aumento razoável no custo no pior cenário. Como a hipótese de que a tecnologia será adotada para toda a demanda do mercado é improvável, estimativas razoáveis para o cenário-base e o pior cenário são de aproximadamente -275 milhões de USD e 132 milhões de USD, respectivamente. Conclusão: Concluímos que os VHAs são econômicos e devem ser recomendados para uso no período perioperatório de cirurgias cardíacas, principalmente para pacientes com alto risco de problemas de hemorragia ou coagulação.

Profile of general hospitals in the Unified Health System.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the organization of Brazilian general hospitals that provide services to the Unified Health System using indicators that describe the main dimensions of hospital care. METHODS A 2015 cross-sectional observational study, comprising the range of general hospitals that serve the Unified Health System. We constructed the hospital indicators from two national administrative databases: the National Registry of Health Facilities and the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System. The indicators include the main dimensions associated with hospital care: public-private mix, production, production factors, performance, quality, case-mix and geographic coverage. Latent class analysis of indicators with bootstrapping was used to identify hospital profiles. RESULTS We identified three profiles, with hospital size being the variable with the highest degree of belonging. Small hospitals show low occupancy rates (21.36%) and high participation of hospitalizations that could have been solved with outpatient care, besides attending only medium complexity cases. They receive few non-residents, indicating that they are mainly dedicated to the local population. Medium-sized hospitals are more similar to small-sized ones: about 100% of the visits are of medium complexity, low occupancy rate (45.81%), high rate of hospitalizations for primary care sensitive conditions (17.10%) and relative importance in the healthcare provision of non-residents (26%). Large hospitals provide high complexity care, have an average occupancy rate of 64.73% and show greater geographical coverage. CONCLUSIONS The indicators point to three hospital profiles, characterized mainly by the production scale. Small hospitals show low performance, suggesting the need to reorganize hospital care provision, especially at the municipal level. The set of proposed indicators includes the main dimensions of hospital care, providing a tool that can help to plan and continuously monitor the hospital network of the Unified Health System.

The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: analysis of supply and demand of hospital and ICU beds and mechanical ventilators under different scenarios. / Pandemia por COVID-19 no Brasil: análise da demanda e da oferta de leitos hospitalares e equipamentos de ventilação assistida segundo diferentes cenários.

This study aims to analyze the pressure on the Brazilian health system from the additional demand created by COVID-19. The authors performed a series of simulations to estimate the demand for hospital beds (health micro-regions) as well as to ICU beds, and mechanical ventilators (health macro-regions) under different scenarios of intensity (infection rates equivalent to 0.01, 0.1, and 1 case por 100 inhabitants) and time horizons (1, 3, and 6 months). The results reveal a critical situation in the system for meeting this potential demand, with numerous health micro-regions and macro-regions operating beyond their capacity, compromising the care for patients, especially those with more severe symptoms. The study presents three relevant messages. First, it is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Brazilian population, allowing more time for the reorganization of the supply and relieve the pressure on the health system. Second, the expansion of the number of available beds will be the key. Even if the private sector helps offset the deficit, the combined supply from the two sectors (public and private) would be insufficient in various macro-regions. The construction of field hospitals is important, both in places with a history of "hospital deserts" and in those already pressured by demand. The third message involves the regionalized organization of health services, whose design may be adequate in situations of routine demand, but which suffer additional challenges during pandemics, especially if patients have to travel long distances to receive care.

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a pressão sobre o sistema de saúde no Brasil decorrente da demanda adicional gerada pela COVID-19. Para tanto, foi realizado um conjunto de simulações para estimar a demanda de leitos gerais (microrregiões de saúde), leitos de UTI e equipamentos de ventilação assistida (macrorregiões de saúde) em diferentes cenários, para intensidade (taxas de infecção equivalentes a 0,01, 0,1 e 1 caso por 100 habitantes) e horizontes temporais (1, 3 e 6 meses). Os resultados evidenciam uma situação crítica do sistema para atender essa demanda potencial, uma vez que diversas microrregiões e macrorregiões de saúde operariam além de sua capacidade, comprometendo o atendimento a pacientes principalmente aqueles com sintomas mais severos. O estudo apresenta três mensagens relevantes. Em primeiro lugar, é necessário reduzir a velocidade de propagação da COVID-19 na população brasileira, permitindo um tempo maior para a reorganização da oferta e aliviando a pressão sobre o sistema de saúde. Segundo, é necessário expandir o número de leitos disponíveis. Ainda que o setor privado contribua para amortecer o déficit de demanda, a oferta conjunta dos dois setores não seria suficiente em várias macrorregiões. A construção de hospitais de campanha é importante, tanto em locais onde historicamente há vazios assistenciais como também naqueles onde já se observa uma pressão do lado da demanda. A terceira mensagem diz respeito à organização regionalizada dos serviços de saúde que, apesar de adequada em situações de demanda usual, em momentos de pandemia este desenho implica desafios adicionais, especialmente se a distância que o paciente tiver de percorrer for muito grande.

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la presión sobre el sistema de salud brasileño, ocasionada por la demanda adicional de camas hospitalarias y equipos de ventilación mecánica, generada por el COVID-19. Para tal fin, se realizó un conjunto de simulaciones, con el fin de estimar la demanda de camas generales (microrregiones de salud), camas de UTI y equipamientos de ventilación asistida (macrorregiones de salud) en diferentes escenarios, según la intensidad (tasas de infección equivalentes a 0,01, 0,1 y 1 caso por 100 habitantes) y horizontes temporales (1, 3 y 6 meses). Los resultados evidencian una situación crítica del sistema para atender esa demanda potencial, ya que diversas microrregiones y macrorregiones de salud operarían más allá de su capacidad, comprometiendo la atención a pacientes principalmente aquellos con los síntomas más graves. El estudio presenta tres mensajes relevantes. En primer lugar, es necesario reducir la velocidad de propagación del COVID-19 en la población brasileña, permitiendo un tiempo mayor para la reorganización de la oferta y aliviando la presión sobre el sistema de salud. En segundo lugar, es necesario expandir el número de camas disponibles. A pesar de que el sector privado contribuya a amortiguar el déficit de demanda, la oferta conjunta de los dos sectores no sería suficiente en varias macrorregiones. La construcción de hospitales de campaña es importante, tanto en lugares donde históricamente existen lagunas asistenciales, como también en aquellos donde ya se observa una presión por parte de la demanda. El tercer mensaje se refiere a la organización por regiones de los servicios de salud que, a pesar de ser adecuada en situaciones de demanda habitual, en momentos de pandemia, este diseño implica desafíos adicionales, especialmente si la distancia que el paciente tuviera que recorrer fuera muy lejana.

Brazilian hospitals' performance: an assessment of the unified health system (SUS).

This paper assesses the economic efficiency of Brazilian general hospitals that provide inpatient care for the Unified Health System (SUS). We combined data envelopment analysis (DEA) and spatial analysis to identify predominant clusters, measure hospital inefficiency and analyze the spatial pattern of inefficiency throughout the country. Our findings pointed to a high level of hospital inefficiency, mostly associated with small size and distributed across all Brazilian states. Many of these hospitals could increase production and reduce inputs to achieve higher efficiency standards. These findings suggest room for optimization, but inequalities in access and the matching of demand and supply must be carefully considered in any attempt to reorganize the hospital system in Brazil.

Financiamento público da saúde nos municípios brasileiros: análise da qualidade dos registros declarados ao Siops de 2002 a 2014 para a atenção básica / Public health financing in brazilian municipalities: analysis of the quality of the records declared to the siops from 2002 to 2014 for primary health care

O Sistema de Informações sobre Orçamentos Públicos em Saúde (Siops) é um instrumento fundamental no entendimento da estrutura dos gastos municipais com saúde. Poucos trabalhos testam a confiabilidade das informações do sistema ao nível das subfunções. Este estudo propõe a análise da consistência dos registros do Siops considerando a desagregação para a subfunção atenção básica. Os registros foram analisados para o período 2002-2014. A confiabilidade das informações do Siops foi aferida através da construção de indicadores que associaram a presença de cobertura da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) à declaração de recebimento de transferências e de gastos com atenção básica. Os principais resultados mostram que os registros de receitas e despesas para a subfunção atenção básica melhoraram no período 2002-2014. Por sua vez, os registros de despesas específicas da ESF apresentaram alto nível de subdeclaração em grande parte dos municípios.

The Information System on Public Health Budgets (Siops) is a fundamental instrument to understand the structure of municipal health expenditures. Few papers test the reliability of the Siops information at the sub-function level. This study proposes the analysis of the consistency of Siops records considering the disaggregation for the primary health care sub-function. The records were analyzed for the period from 2002 to 2014. The reliability of Siops information was measured through the construction of indicators that associated the coverage by Family Health Strategy (FHS) with the declaration of receipt of transfers and expenditures for primary health care. The main results show that the records of income and expenses for the primary health care sub-function improved during the period from 2002 to 2014. On the other hand, the specific expenditure records of the FHS presented a high level of underreporting in most of the municipalities.

El Sistema de Información sobre Presupuestos Públicos en Salud (Siops) es un instrumento fundamental en el entendimiento de la estructura de los gastos municipales con salud. Pocos estudios prueban la confiabilidad de la información del sistema en el nivel de las cubfunciones. Este estudio propone el análisis de la consistencia de los registros del Siops considerando la desagregación para la subfunción atención primaria de salud. Los registros fueron analizados desde 2002 hasta 2014. La confiabilidad de las informaciones del Siops fue evaluada por la construcción de indicadores que asociaron la presencia de cobertura de la Estrategia de Salud de la Familia (ESF) a la declaración de recepción de transferencias y de gastos con atención primaria de salud. Los principales resultados muestran que los registros de ingresos y gastos para la subfunción atención primaria de Salud mejoraron en el período de 2002 al 2014. Por otro lado, los registros de gastos específicos de la ESF presentaron alto nivel de subdeclaración en gran parte de los municipios

Le Système d'Information sur les Budgets Publics en Santé (Siops) est un instrument fondamental pour comprendre la structure des dépenses de santé municipales. Peu d'articles testent la fiabilité des informations système au niveau des sous-fonctions. Cette étude propose l'analyse de la cohérence des enregistrements Siops compte tenu de la désagrégation pour la sous-fonction attention basique. Les enregistrements ont été analysés pour la période de 2002 à 2014. La fiabilité des informations Siops a été mesurée à travers la construction d>indicateurs associant la présence de la couverture de la Stratégie de la Santé Familiale (ESF) à la déclaration de réception des transferts et dépenses avec attention de base. Les principaux résultats montrent que les comptes de recettes et dépenses de la sous-fonction soins de base se sont améliorés entre 2002 et 2014. En revanche, les dossiers de dépenses spécifiques du ESF ont présenté un niveau élevé de sous-déclaration dans la plupart des municipalités.

Profile of general hospitals in the Unified Health System / Perfil dos hospitais gerais do Sistema Único de Saúde

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To characterize the organization of Brazilian general hospitals that provide services to the Unified Health System using indicators that describe the main dimensions of hospital care. METHODS A 2015 cross-sectional observational study, comprising the range of general hospitals that serve the Unified Health System. We constructed the hospital indicators from two national administrative databases: the National Registry of Health Facilities and the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System. The indicators include the main dimensions associated with hospital care: public-private mix, production, production factors, performance, quality, case-mix and geographic coverage. Latent class analysis of indicators with bootstrapping was used to identify hospital profiles. RESULTS We identified three profiles, with hospital size being the variable with the highest degree of belonging. Small hospitals show low occupancy rates (21.36%) and high participation of hospitalizations that could have been solved with outpatient care, besides attending only medium complexity cases. They receive few non-residents, indicating that they are mainly dedicated to the local population. Medium-sized hospitals are more similar to small-sized ones: about 100% of the visits are of medium complexity, low occupancy rate (45.81%), high rate of hospitalizations for primary care sensitive conditions (17.10%) and relative importance in the healthcare provision of non-residents (26%). Large hospitals provide high complexity care, have an average occupancy rate of 64.73% and show greater geographical coverage. CONCLUSIONS The indicators point to three hospital profiles, characterized mainly by the production scale. Small hospitals show low performance, suggesting the need to reorganize hospital care provision, especially at the municipal level. The set of proposed indicators includes the main dimensions of hospital care, providing a tool that can help to plan and continuously monitor the hospital network of the Unified Health System.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Caracterizar a organização dos hospitais gerais brasileiros que prestam serviço ao Sistema Único de Saúde por meio de indicadores que descrevem as principais dimensões do cuidado hospitalar. MÉTODOS Estudo observacional transversal para o ano de 2015, compreendendo o universo dos hospitais gerais que atendem o Sistema Único de Saúde. Os indicadores hospitalares foram construídos a partir de duas bases de dados administrativos nacionais: o Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimento de Saúde e o Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde. Os indicadores contemplam as principais dimensões associadas ao cuidado hospitalar: mix público-privado, produção, fatores de produção, desempenho, qualidade, case-mix e abrangência geográfica. A análise de classes latentes dos indicadores com implementação do bootstrapping foi utilizada para a identificação dos perfis hospitalares. RESULTADOS Foram identificados três perfis, sendo porte hospitalar a variável com grau de pertencimento mais elevado. Os hospitais pequenos apresentam baixas taxas de ocupação (21,36%) e elevada participação de internações que poderiam ter sido solucionadas com cuidado ambulatorial, além de atenderem somente a média complexidade. Recebem poucos não residentes, indicando que estão dedicados praticamente à população local. Os hospitais de médio porte se assemelham mais aos de pequeno porte: cerca de 100% dos atendimentos são de média complexidade, baixa taxa de ocupação (45,81%), elevada taxa de internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (17,10%) e relativa importância no atendimento de não residentes (26%). Os hospitais grandes realizam os atendimentos de alta complexidade, têm taxa de ocupação média de 64,73% e apresentam maior abrangência geográfica. CONCLUSÕES Os indicadores apontam três perfis de hospitais, caracterizados principalmente pela escala de produção. Os hospitais de pequeno porte apresentam baixa performance, sugerindo a necessidade de reorganização da oferta do cuidado hospitalar, principalmente no nível municipal. O conjunto dos indicadores propostos inclui as principais dimensões do cuidado hospitalar, fornecendo uma ferramenta que pode ser utilizada no planejamento e monitoramento contínuo da rede hospitalar do Sistema Único de Saúde.

Pandemia por COVID-19 no Brasil: análise da demanda e da oferta de leitos hospitalares e equipamentos de ventilação assistida segundo diferentes cenários / Pandemia por COVID-19 en Brasil: análisis de la demanda y oferta de camas hospitalarias, así como equipamientos de ventilación asistida, según diferentes escenarios / The COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: analysis of supply and demand of hospital and ICU beds and mechanical ventilators under different scenarios

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a pressão sobre o sistema de saúde no Brasil decorrente da demanda adicional gerada pela COVID-19. Para tanto, foi realizado um conjunto de simulações para estimar a demanda de leitos gerais (microrregiões de saúde), leitos de UTI e equipamentos de ventilação assistida (macrorregiões de saúde) em diferentes cenários, para intensidade (taxas de infecção equivalentes a 0,01, 0,1 e 1 caso por 100 habitantes) e horizontes temporais (1, 3 e 6 meses). Os resultados evidenciam uma situação crítica do sistema para atender essa demanda potencial, uma vez que diversas microrregiões e macrorregiões de saúde operariam além de sua capacidade, comprometendo o atendimento a pacientes principalmente aqueles com sintomas mais severos. O estudo apresenta três mensagens relevantes. Em primeiro lugar, é necessário reduzir a velocidade de propagação da COVID-19 na população brasileira, permitindo um tempo maior para a reorganização da oferta e aliviando a pressão sobre o sistema de saúde. Segundo, é necessário expandir o número de leitos disponíveis. Ainda que o setor privado contribua para amortecer o déficit de demanda, a oferta conjunta dos dois setores não seria suficiente em várias macrorregiões. A construção de hospitais de campanha é importante, tanto em locais onde historicamente há vazios assistenciais como também naqueles onde já se observa uma pressão do lado da demanda. A terceira mensagem diz respeito à organização regionalizada dos serviços de saúde que, apesar de adequada em situações de demanda usual, em momentos de pandemia este desenho implica desafios adicionais, especialmente se a distância que o paciente tiver de percorrer for muito grande.

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la presión sobre el sistema de salud brasileño, ocasionada por la demanda adicional de camas hospitalarias y equipos de ventilación mecánica, generada por el COVID-19. Para tal fin, se realizó un conjunto de simulaciones, con el fin de estimar la demanda de camas generales (microrregiones de salud), camas de UTI y equipamientos de ventilación asistida (macrorregiones de salud) en diferentes escenarios, según la intensidad (tasas de infección equivalentes a 0,01, 0,1 y 1 caso por 100 habitantes) y horizontes temporales (1, 3 y 6 meses). Los resultados evidencian una situación crítica del sistema para atender esa demanda potencial, ya que diversas microrregiones y macrorregiones de salud operarían más allá de su capacidad, comprometiendo la atención a pacientes principalmente aquellos con los síntomas más graves. El estudio presenta tres mensajes relevantes. En primer lugar, es necesario reducir la velocidad de propagación del COVID-19 en la población brasileña, permitiendo un tiempo mayor para la reorganización de la oferta y aliviando la presión sobre el sistema de salud. En segundo lugar, es necesario expandir el número de camas disponibles. A pesar de que el sector privado contribuya a amortiguar el déficit de demanda, la oferta conjunta de los dos sectores no sería suficiente en varias macrorregiones. La construcción de hospitales de campaña es importante, tanto en lugares donde históricamente existen lagunas asistenciales, como también en aquellos donde ya se observa una presión por parte de la demanda. El tercer mensaje se refiere a la organización por regiones de los servicios de salud que, a pesar de ser adecuada en situaciones de demanda habitual, en momentos de pandemia, este diseño implica desafíos adicionales, especialmente si la distancia que el paciente tuviera que recorrer fuera muy lejana.

This study aims to analyze the pressure on the Brazilian health system from the additional demand created by COVID-19. The authors performed a series of simulations to estimate the demand for hospital beds (health micro-regions) as well as to ICU beds, and mechanical ventilators (health macro-regions) under different scenarios of intensity (infection rates equivalent to 0.01, 0.1, and 1 case por 100 inhabitants) and time horizons (1, 3, and 6 months). The results reveal a critical situation in the system for meeting this potential demand, with numerous health micro-regions and macro-regions operating beyond their capacity, compromising the care for patients, especially those with more severe symptoms. The study presents three relevant messages. First, it is necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Brazilian population, allowing more time for the reorganization of the supply and relieve the pressure on the health system. Second, the expansion of the number of available beds will be the key. Even if the private sector helps offset the deficit, the combined supply from the two sectors (public and private) would be insufficient in various macro-regions. The construction of field hospitals is important, both in places with a history of "hospital deserts" and in those already pressured by demand. The third message involves the regionalized organization of health services, whose design may be adequate in situations of routine demand, but which suffer additional challenges during pandemics, especially if patients have to travel long distances to receive care.

Silicone tape versus micropore tape to prevent medical adhesive-related skin injuries: systematic review and meta-analysis / Fita de silicone versus fita microporosa para prevenção de lesão cutânea relacionada a adesivos médicos: revisão sistemática e metanálise

Objective: This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of silicone tapes compared to microporous tapes in patients with fragile skin. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was carried out. Clinical trials that compared silicone tape for medical use with the microporous tape in preterm newborns, newborns, children, elders, or people with increased risk of MARSI were included. This report followed the principles of the PRISMA statement. Results: Three randomized controlled trials were included. The silicone tape was associated with fewer injuries (RR = 0.53; p-value = 0.03), but no difference was found in terms of prevention of moderate or severe injuries (RR = 0.25; p-value = 0.20). Silicone tapes produce significantly less edema/erythema response than microporous tapes in children (MD = -0.42; p-value < 0.0001). The quality of evidence was considered very low. Conclusion: The evidence suggests that silicone tapes may be gentler to patients' skin than microporous tapes. However, no study reported data on the outcomes of interest. The studies have small samples, a short time horizon, and the quality of evidence was considered very low. There is insufficient information to allow the recommendation of silicone tapes to prevent skin injuries compared to microporous tapes.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a eficácia e a segurança das fitas de silicone comparadas às fitas microporosas em pacientes com pele frágil. Métodos: Uma revisão sistemática da literatura foi conduzida. Ensaios clínicos que compararam a fita de silicone para uso médico com a fita microporosa em pacientes prematuros, neonatos, crianças, idosos ou pessoas com risco aumentado de lesão por adesivos médicos foram incluídos. Esse relato seguiu os princípios do relatório PRISMA. Resultados: Três ensaios clínicos randomizados foram incluídos. As fitas de silicone foram associadas a menor risco de lesões (RR = 0,53; valor-p = 0,03), mas não foi observada diferença em termos de lesões moderadas ou graves (RR = 0,25; valor-p = 0,20), e produziram significativamente menos edema/eritema que fitas microporosas em crianças (MD = -0,42; valor-p < 0,0001). A qualidade da evidência foi considerada baixa. Conclusão: A evidência sugere que as fitas de silicone são mais gentis à pele dos pacientes que as fitas microporosas. No entanto, nenhum estudo incluído reportou dados sobre os desfechos de interesse. Os estudos tinham amostras pequenas, horizonte temporal curto e qualidade de evidência muito baixa. A informação existente é insuficiente para possibilitar a recomendação das fitas de silicone para prevenção de lesões cutâneas em comparação com as fitas microporosas.