Estudio SUHCAT (1): mapa físico de los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios de Cataluña / SUHCAT study, part 1: a map of the physical characteristics of hospital emergency services in Catalonia

RESUMEN

Objetivo: Describir las características físicas de los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH) de Cataluña y su relación con diferentes características del SUH y del hospital. Método: Se entrevistó a los jefes de 79 de los 82 SUH de Cataluña (96%) que respondieron un cuestionario de 353 preguntas. Una parte de ellas hacía referencia a las características físicas y estructurales de los SUH. Las respuestas se tabularon globalmente y de forma detallada en función de la actividad del SUH (alta, media o baja), el uso del hospital (privado o público) y la complejidad del hospital público (alta tecnología o alta resolución, de referencia, comarcal). Resultados: En la mitad de SUH, su estructura física fue construida o reformada en los 4 años previos. El 59,5% de los SUH cuenta con un área observación (AO) (más los SUH de alta actividad y los hospitales públicos de mayor complejidad). El 35% tiene unidad de corta estancia en su hospital: en el 68% trabajan urgenciólogos, en el 46% éstos son los únicos facultativos especialistas y el 61% depende del SUH. En 2011, los SUH realizaron 3.949.885 atenciones (0,53 atenciones por habitante y año), el 16% en hospitales privados. La mediana (p25-p75) de ingresos fue del 9% (6-12). Un 34,2% incrementa su actividad por motivos de temporalidad turística, durante los cuales sólo el 37,0% aumenta el personal y el 18,5% la estructura. Los índices de fallecimientos, altas sin atención médica y reconsultas a las 72 horas son de 0,05% (0,00-0,13), 1,1% (0,3-2,5) y 4,5% (3,5-5,6), respectivamente (todos ellos mejores en los SUH de menor actividad, los hospitales privados y los hospitales públicos de menor complejidad). El 77,2% colocan identificativos a los pacientes y el 20,3% a los acompañantes, el 84,8% permite el acompañamiento permanente en el área de primera asistencia (APA) y el 59,5% en el AO. Un 36,7% de SUH no tiene ningún tipo de vigilancia (más frecuente en SUH de baja actividad, en hospitales privados y en hospitales públicos de baja complejidad). La superficie dedicada a actividad asistencial es 364 m2 (230-1200), con 13 boxes (7-26) en APA (2 para pacientes críticos) y 8 (4-13) en AO. Estos espacios se calificaron insuficientes en el 50,7% de SUH (más frecuente en hospitales públicos que privados) y su calidad deficiente el 16,5%. En caso de necesidad, las APA pueden aumentar su capacidad un 11% (0-50%) y las AO un 0% (0-5%). La disponibilidad de pruebas complementarias depende del tipo de SUH y de hospital. El 44,3% y el 13,7% tienen la radiología convencional y el escáner, respectivamente, en el propio SUH. El 49,4% dispone de ecógrafo propio y un 10% (0-30%) de sus urgenciólogos sabe utilizarlo. La informatización de la información asistencial es superior al 90% con la excepción del ECG digitalizado (48,8%) y la receta electrónica (25,5%). El 74,7% de SUH dispone de los tiempos asistenciales, pero sólo un 10% los muestra a los usuarios. Conclusiones: El presente estudio pone de manifiesto la realidad estructural de los SUH catalanes y señala diversas oportunidades de mejora

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe the physical characteristics of hospital emergency departments in Catalonia, Spain, with reference to other characteristics of the departments and the hospitals. Methods: The heads of 79 of the 82 hospital emergency departments in Catalonia (96%) responded to a 353-item questionnaire and were personally interviewed. This study analyzes information from items referring to the departments' facilities. Statistics were compiled for the entire dataset and for three levels of emergency department volumen (high, medium, and low), for private and public hospital status, and for complexity of public hospitals (technologically well equipped, comprehensive general, other referral, or local). Results: Half the departments had premises built or remodelled in the last 4 years; 59.5% had an observation area. Such areas were more often available in high-volume hospitals and public health service hospitals with a higher degree of complexity. A short-stay area was available in 35% of the emergency departments: 68% had staff physicians who were specialized in emergency medicine, 46% were staffed exclusively by emergency physicians, and 61% were under the emergency department’s supervision. In 2011, these departments managed 3 949 885 emergencies (0.53 visits/inhabitant/ y); 16% were handled in private hospitals. The median (25th-75th percentile) admission rate was 9% (6%-12%). Volume increased during the high tourist season for 34.2% of the departments; only 37.0% of them hired additional staff at these times and 18.5% increased the available space. Rates for mortality, discharge without care, and revisits within 72 hours were 0.05% (0.00-0.13), 1.1% (0.3-2.5), and 4.5% (3.5-5.6), respectively. All these rates were lower in lower-volume hospitals, private hospitals, and less complex public hospitals. Patient identification bracelets were used in 77.2% of the departments. An accompanying person was allowed at all times in the initial assessment area in 84.8% and in the observation area in 59.5%. Security personnel were not provided in 36.7% of the departments; this rate was higher in lower-volume hospitals, private hospitals, and less complex public hospitals. The departments had a median surface area of 364 (230-1200) m2, 13 (7-26) initial treatment rooms or spaces (2 for critical cases), and 8 (4-13) observation-area beds. A 50,7% of the respondents considered their facilities were inadequate (an opinion expressed more often for public hospitals than for private ones), and 16,5% reported that the quality of available spaces was unsatisfactory. The area designated for initial treatment could be increased at 11% (0%–50%) of the hospitals, but 0% (0%-5%) could increase the number of observation beds. The availability of complementary tests was related to type of emergency department and hospital. Conventional radiography could be performed in 44.3% of the departments and computed tomography in 13.7%. Although 49.4% had ultrasound machines, only 10% (0%-30%) of the emergency physicians knew how to use one. High-quality information systems were in place in 90% of the hospitals, although only 48.8% had digitized electrocardiography and 25.5% could prescribe electronically. Although 74.7% of the departments compiled time statistics, only 10% shared the information with users. Conclusions: This study reveals the physical conditions of Catalan hospital emergency departments and identifies several ways they can be improved