Biblioteca Digital

Avaliou-se a prevalência de hipertensão e variáveis relacionadas em 154 profissionais de serviço pré-hospitalar pela medida casual da pressão e monitorização ambulatorial da pressão. A prevalência de hipertensão na medida casual foi 33,1% e 26,6% na monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial. A presença de hipertensão se associou (odds ratio=OR): a) medida casual da pressão, com o HDL-c >40 mg/dL (OR=0,25); b) monitorização ambulatorial (24 h) com glicemia > 110 mg/dL (OR:9,98), sexo masculino (OR=2,71), trabalhar cansado raramente/nunca (OR=0,19) e às vezes (OR=0,17); c) monitorização ambulatorial (vigília) com glicemia > 110 mg/dL (OR=11,18), sexo masculino (OR=3,24), trabalhar cansado raramente/nunca (OR=0,14) e às vezes (OR=0,16), índice de massa corporal (OR=1,10), trabalhar cansado raramente/nunca (OR=0,14) e às vezes (OR=0,16); e d) monitorização ambulatorial (sono) com sono diurno (OR=0,14) e índice de massa corporal (OR=1,11). Foi elevada a prevalência de hipertensão e fatores de risco associados.; This study evaluated the prevalence of hypertension and related variables among 154 pre-hospital care service professionals, measuring for causal blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure. The prevalence of hypertension by causal blood pressure measurement was 33.1% and ambulatory blood pressure was 26.6%. Hypertension was associated with (odds ratio=OR): a) causal blood pressure measurement...

Objetivos: Este estudo é parte do Projeto Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento (SABE), com o objetivo de identificar as desigualdades no acesso e uso de serviços de saúde entre idosos no município de São Paulo, Brasil. Métodos: Em 2000, foram entrevistados, 2143 indivíduos com 60 anos ou mais, utilizando-se o questionário padronizado do SABE. A amostra foi obtida em dois estágios, utilizando-se setores censitários com reposição, probabilidade proporcional à população e complementação da amostra de pessoas de 75 anos. Os dados finais foram ponderados, de forma a serem expandidos. Foi mensurado o uso de serviços hospitalares (internações) e ambulatoriais (consultas médicas) nos últimos quatro meses e o não uso de serviços de saúde (mesmo precisando), relacionando-os com fatores de capacidade, necessidade e predisposição (renda total, escolaridade, seguro saúde, morbidade referida, auto-percepção, sexo e idade). Resultados: A proporção dos entrevistados que referiu ter utilizado algum serviço de saúde, nos últimos quatro meses, foi de 4,7 por cento com relação à internação hospitalar e 64, 4 por cento com referência ao atendimento ambulatorial. Dos atendimentos ambulatoriais, 24,7 por cento ocorreu em hospital público e 24...

Introdução - O sistema de saúde brasileiro é composto por um segmento público universal e por um segmento privado. Grande parte da população do município de São Paulo está coberta por planos privado de saúde, porém existem poucos estudos locais explorando a influência desse fator no uso dos serviços de saúde. O estudo de unidades geográficas menores permite um melhor entendimento da realidade local. Objetivo Analisar o uso dos serviços de saúde segundo a posse de plano privado de saúde no município de São Paulo. Métodos - Estudo transversal com base nos dados obtidos no Inquérito de Saúde no Município de São Paulo de 2008. Analisamos o uso de serviços na resolução das condições agudas de saúde, no acompanhamento de doenças crônicas, no rastreamento de neoplasias e na hospitalização. Primeiro realizamos uma análise descritiva dos dados, com estimativa das prevalências. Então, verificamos a associação de cada um dos desfechos com a posse de plano privado de saúde, por meio da regressão logística múltipla, com ajuste para variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e da condição de saúde, estimando o Odds Ratio. Resultados As pessoas sem plano privado de saúde apresentaram maior chance de uso de serviços de urgência e emergência. As pessoas com plano apresentaram maior chance de uso de serviços ambulatoriais...

This qualitative research, case study type, aimed at presenting the understanding of psychic sufferers in search for mental health services during emergency situation, partial hospitalization or in ambulatory services. 12 family members were interviewed. They reported difficulties in the attendance in the emergency room when the patient is in crisis, as well as doctors considering merely the present symptomatology and undervaluing their own knowledge of the sickening process. The day-care hospital is conceived as a place to provide care, occupation and should teach as a school. The ambulatory service represents for the family the possibility of the patient being responsible for their attendance to the consultations and for the correct use of the medication.

No Brasil, o debate sobre a organização da assistência à saúde ocupou-se até o momento principalmente da discussão em torno da Atenção Básica (ou Atenção Primária em Saúde) e do ambiente hospitalar, em diferentes vertentes. Entre estes dois pólos, a Atenção Ambulatorial Especializada não teve o mesmo tratamento por parte de pesquisadores e formuladores de políticas públicas de saúde. As investigações sobre esse nível assistencial centraram seu foco, até o momento, na questão da oferta e demanda, sem avançar na discussão sobre especificidades que se passam no modo de produção do cuidado nos serviços especializados e sua interação com outros equipamentos. O princípio da integralidade, pressuposto constitucional do Sistema Único de Saúde, e o "nó crítico" que vem representando o acesso à Atenção Especializada no país, exigem um esforço no aprofundamento da compreensão desta área. O presente estudo, situado no âmbito de um Mestrado Profissional em Saúde Coletiva, Política e Gestão em Saúde, propõe-se a contribuir na redução dessa lacuna, realizando uma discussão sobre a gestão do cuidado na Atenção Ambulatorial Especializada a partir de uma revisão de literatura analisada em diálogo com a vivência da coordenação da Atenção Especializada em uma Secretaria Municipal de Saúde registrada através de um Diário de Campo.; In Brazil...

OBJECTIVE To analyze the temporal evolution of the hospitalization of older adults due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions according to their structure, magnitude and causes. METHODS Cross-sectional study based on data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System and from the Primary Care Information System, referring to people aged 60 to 74 years living in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Souhteastern Brazil. The proportion and rate of hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions were calculated, both the global rate and, according to diagnoses, the most prevalent ones. The coverage of the Family Health Strategy and the number of medical consultations attended by older adults in primary care were estimated. To analyze the indicators’ impact on hospitalizations, a linear correlation test was used. RESULTS We found an intense reduction in hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions for all causes and age groups. Heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases concentrated 50.0% of the hospitalizations. Adults older than 69 years had a higher risk of hospitalization due to one of these causes. We observed a higher risk of hospitalization among men. A negative correlation was found between the hospitalizations and the indicators of access to primary care. CONCLUSIONS Primary healthcare in the state of Rio de Janeiro has been significantly impacting the hospital morbidity of the older population. Studies of hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions can aid the identification of the main causes that are sensitive to the intervention of the health services...

OBJECTIVE To analyze hospitalization rates and the proportion of deaths due to ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations and to characterize them according to coverage by the Family Health Strategy, a primary health care guidance program. METHODS An ecological study comprising 853 municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais, under the purview of 28 regional health care units, was conducted. We used data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations in 2000 and 2010 were compared. Population data were obtained from the demographic censuses. RESULTS The number of ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations declined from 20.75/1,000 inhabitants [standard deviation (SD) = 10.42) in 2000 to 14.92/thousand inhabitants (SD = 10.04) in 2010 Heart failure was the most frequent cause in both years. Hospitalizations rates for hypertension, asthma, and diabetes mellitus, decreased, whereas those for angina pectoris, prenatal and birth disorders, kidney and urinary tract infections, and other acute infections increased. Hospitalization durations and the proportion of deaths due to ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS Mean hospitalization rates for sensitive conditions were significantly lower in 2010 than in 2000...

National survey data were used to describe and analyze the treatment of selected illnesses: hypertension, heart condition, hernia, gynecological infection, menstrual disorder, other gynecological conditions, pneumonia, and urinary tract infection. The number of office visits, the rate of diagnostic testing, the average charge, and the use of inpatient and outpatient hospital services were analyzed in an econometric model of treatment. Differences in the treatment of patients with similar illnesses were associated with comprehensive insurance, the availability of hospital and physician resources, and other economic considerations. There was also evidence that hospital and ambulatory services were substituted for each other, as a result of economic as well as medical considerations.

In this article, ambulatory surgery among the aged Medicare population in 1985 is examined. Total hospital facility charges for ambulatory surgery in that year were estimated at $1.8 billion, with about one-half of that amount involving cataract surgery. The possibility of using diagnosis-related groups for a prospective payment system for ambulatory surgery was examined and was rejected for two reasons: (1) about 20 percent of the dollar volume of hospital-based ambulatory surgery fell into medical diagnosis-related groups and (2) the ratio of inpatient diagnosis-related group weight to outpatient billed charges for the ambulatory procedures falling into a given diagnosis-related group varied more than tenfold, making diagnosis-related group weights impossible to use in a consistent manner. A newly developed version of ambulatory visit groups and the even newer ambulatory patient groups were then considered as an alternative for a prospective payment system. These are briefly described.

This article examines geographic differences in the use of mental health services among Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)-eligible Medicaid beneficiaries in Maine. Findings indicate that rural AFDC beneficiaries have significantly lower utilization of mental health services than urban beneficiaries. Specialty mental health providers account for the majority of ambulatory visits for both rural and urban beneficiaries. However, rural beneficiaries rely more on primary-care providers than do urban beneficiaries. Differences in use are largely explained by variations in the supply of specialty mental health providers. This finding supports the long-held assumption that lower supply is a barrier to access to mental health services in rural areas.

The shift in the site of service delivery from inpatient and institutional to ambulatory and community settings has been prompted by concerns over cost and the prospect for improving the quality of life. In response to these concerns, Medicare has implemented several demonstrations that emphasize ambulatory and community-based services. In this issue, articles are presented on four demonstrations, which focus on the extent to which coordinated care models reduce health care costs, and the cost effectiveness and beneficiary outcomes of disease-specific programs. Two articles are included on home health. One examines home health care in relation to the other Medicare post-acute benefits, and the other focuses on the use of home health care in the treatment of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Finally, two articles report on Section 1915c Medicaid home and community-based waiver programs.

This Functional Review was carried by a Bank team upon request by the Government of Romania. As a starting point, it shows that: (i) health outcomes in Romania lag behind those of the EU; (ii) users are not satisfied with its lack of responsiveness - long lines, informal payments, discourteous handling of patients, poor cleanliness, lack of maintenance, and breach of safety measures; (iii) the poor and other vulnerable groups (for example Roma communities) suffer from a significant lack of access to services; and (iv) the fiscal contraction of 2008-2010 exposed the weakness of financial controls in the health sector. The Review examines four health functions in depth: service delivery, financing, stewardship and resources (including pharmaceuticals). Based on our findings, we present recommendations categorized by the three set of challenges that the sector is facing: (i) improving governance and management; (ii) streamlining the health service network and re-launching quality control systems; and (iii) increasing preventive services and equity. For any expansion of the sector to be sustainable...

The objective of this paper is to assess the key interventions Costa Rica has developed to expand health coverage for the poor and other vulnerable groups, with an emphasis on its approach to primary health care. Universal health coverage in Costa Rica is provided through a single national health insurance program. This program, which protects the poor without the pitfalls of a fragmented system, and the sustained policies that have enabled the building of a solid primary health care system, is broadly recognized as a success story. At the same, time new challenges are emerging to sustaining the success of Costa Rica's universal health coverage. Social Security of Costa Rica (Caja Costarricense de Seguridad Social, CCSS) faces increased production costs and demographic and epidemiological changes in a rapidly aging population. This report is divided into three broad sections: (1) objective of the case study and health system overview; (2) primary health care and the organization of health services within CCSS; and (3) agenda of key policy decisions for a renewed primary health care approach as part of a more responsive and sustainable health insurance system.

This technical assessment has been carried out as part of the preparation of the Health Program-for-Results (PforR) operation in Croatia. The primary focus of the assessment is on the Government's Program, and the National Health Care Strategy 2012-2020, and serves as the policy framework for this operation. The needs that Croatia's health system must address have changed as a consequence of the demographic and epidemiological transition in the country. The disease burden in Croatia has shifted from being dominated by maternal and child health and communicable diseases to being dominated by chronic and non-communicable conditions. The Government of Croatia's National Health Care Strategy sets out development directions for the health sector and is the framework for making policy and operational decisions, including the distribution of budgetary resources. The development of emergency medical services and investment planning project supported technical assistance to develop a hospital rationalization master plan...

Objective: to determine the cost of institutional and familial care for patients with chronic kidney disease replacement therapy with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Methods: a study of the cost of care for patients with chronic kidney disease treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis was undertaken. The sample size (151) was calculated with the formula of the averages for an infinite population. The institutional cost included the cost of outpatient consultation, emergencies, hospitalization, ambulance, pharmacy, medication, laboratory, x-rays and application of erythropoietin. The family cost included transportation cost for services, cost of food during care, as well as the cost of medication and treatment materials acquired by the family for home care. The analysis included averages, percentages and confidence intervals. Results: the average annual institutional cost is US$ 11,004.3. The average annual family cost is US$ 2,831.04. The average annual cost of patient care in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis including institutional and family cost is US$ 13,835.35. Conclusion: the cost of chronic kidney disease requires a large amount of economic resources, and is becoming a serious problem for health services and families. It's also true that the form of patient management in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is the most efficient in the use of institutional resources and family.

INTRODUÇÃO: No Brasil verifica-se um descompasso entre o aumento das necessidades de atenção à saúde e de sua oferta. O Sistema Único de Saúde, cujas deretrizes preconizam a atenção universal e eqüânime, determina a relevância desta temática dentro do campo da avaliação dos serviços de saúde. Assim, foram estudados dois ambulatórios de pediatria de um hospital universitário, um geral e outro de uma subespecialiadade (pneumologia), comparando os usuários quanto ao acesso. MÉTODO: Foram aplicados 221 questionários entre clientes de ambos os ambulatórios de pediatria com o objetivo de se estudar e comparar variáveis socioeconômicas, procedência, acesso aos referidos ambulatórios e outros serviços de saúde. RESULTADOS: Evidenciou-se grande dificuldade de locomoção dos pacientes, a maioria dos quais são encaminhados por serviços de saúde locais. Dos pacientes atendidos 40% não receberam nenhum atendimento anteriormente à sua chegada ao hospital, fato que decorre principalmente de seu baixo nível socioeconômico, que os torna dependentes exclusivamente dos serviços públicos de saúde. A comparação entre os dois ambulatórios mostra que os pacientes do ambulatório de especialidade têm melhor nível socioeconômico e são menos dependentes dos serviços públicos...

Objectives: Pharmacist-managed collaborative services in a family practice setting are described, and diabetes and hypertension outcomes are assessed. Methods: Pharmacist-managed clinics, pharmacotherapy consultations, and drug information services are provided for a medically underserved, predominantly African American population. A pharmacy residency director, an ambulatory care pharmacy resident and three PharmD candidate student pharmacists work directly with physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and social workers to form an interdisciplinary health care team. Providers utilize pharmacy services through consultations and referrals. Collaboration outcomes were evaluated in twenty-two patients with diabetes and thirty hypertensive patients. Patients were retrospectively followed throughout their history with pharmacy service. Hemoglobin A1c (A1C) was tracked before referral to pharmacy services, 3 to 6 months after, and as the most current measure after at least 6 months. Blood pressure (BP) was observed before pharmacy involvement, 2 to 4 months later, and then currently for at least 4 months with the service. The mean of the most current markers was calculated, and the percent of patients at their goal marker was compared to national averages. Results: Fifty percent of pharmacy service patients met the American Diabetes Association hemoglobin A1c goal of less than 7% in our evaluation compared to the national mean of 49.8% overall and 44% in African Americans. Thirty percent of patients were at their BP goal while 33.1% of patients without diabetes and 33.2% of patients with diabetes nationally are at goal. Conclusion: The medically underserved patients under the care of pharmacy services achieved a higher percentage at their A1C goal than the national mean. The percentage of patients who achieved their BP goals was comparable to the national average. Increasing utilization of pharmacy services in the family practice setting allows for pharmacists and providers to form a trusted relationship while providing enhanced care and potentially improved outcomes for patients.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the degree to which individual and household variables jointly predict utilization of curative ambulatory services in Mexico for four types of health providers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient choice of provider (self-care, Ministry of Health, social security, or private provider) when they become ill is modeled using a nested multinomial logit model that uses household and individual variables as predictors. The data are from the Mexican National Health Survey conducted in 2000. RESULTS: Being a social security beneficiary is one of the most important predictors of utilization. A strong positive relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and demand for services was also found, with the strongest relationship being for private providers, followed by social security. Utilization of Ministry of Health (MoH) services was negatively associated with household SES. CONCLUSIONS: Expansion of health insurance coverage should significantly reduce health inequalities due to reduced care-seeking by non-beneficiaries.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the degree to which individual and household variables jointly predict utilization of curative ambulatory services in Mexico for four types of health providers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient choice of provider (self-care, Ministry of Health, social security, or private provider) when they become ill is modeled using a nested multinomial logit model that uses household and individual variables as predictors. The data are from the Mexican National Health Survey conducted in 2000. RESULTS: Being a social security beneficiary is one of the most important predictors of utilization. A strong positive relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and demand for services was also found, with the strongest relationship being for private providers, followed by social security. Utilization of Ministry of Health (MoH) services was negatively associated with household SES. CONCLUSIONS: Expansion of health insurance coverage should significantly reduce health inequalities due to reduced care-seeking by non-beneficiaries.

Success in the provision of ambulatory personal health services, i.e. providing individuals with treatment for acute illness and preventive health care on an ambulatory basis, is the most significant contributor to the health care system's performance in most developing countries. Ambulatory personal health care has the potential to contribute the largest immediate gains in health status in populations, especially for the poor. At present, such health care accounts for the largest share of the total health expenditure in most lower income countries. It frequently comprises the largest share of the financial burden on households associated with health care consumption, which is typically regressively distributed. The "organization" of ambulatory personal health services is a critical determinant of the health system's performance which, at present, is poorly understood and insufficiently considered in policies and programmes for reforming health care systems. This article begins with a brief analysis of the importance of ambulatory care in the overall health system performance and this is followed by a summary of the inadequate global data on ambulatory care organization. It then defines the concept of "macro organization of health care" at a system level. Outlined also is a framework for analysing the organization of health care services and the major pathways through which the organization of ambulatory personal health care services can affect system performance. Examples of recent policy interventions to influence primary care organization - both government and nongovernmental providers and market structure - are reviewed. It is argued that the characteristics of health care markets in developing countries and of most primary care goods result in relatively diverse and competitive environments for ambulatory care services...