[Indicators of efficiency in outpatient consultation of a third-level pediatric hospital]. / Indicadores de eficacia en la consulta externa de un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In order to ensure a high-quality medical attention, and due to the limited material resources, the medical audit has become an important tool in modern medical management. The field of third-level outpatient consultation has to support the first and the second levels, which is the reason why the management must follow the specific indicators that reflect the development and the efficiency of this process. In this context the objective of this work is to report the behaviour of the indicators of efficacy in the outpatient clinic of a third-level pediatric hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The statistic records presented by the Medical-Operative System of Information from 2000 to 2005 were reviewed and the data of the total of medical examinations (in general and in every shift) were taken out. RESULTS: The total number of medical examinations shows a decrease in the period, but with a larger number of first-time examinations. Some shifts in particular are affected in the indicators by the complexity of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The indicators of discharge/ first-time and subsequent/first-time show a tendency to the fulfillment of the norm. The linked factors that modify an indicator must be considered when analysing it.