Dynamic network data envelopment analysis for university hospitals evaluation

OBJETIVO Desenvolver ferramenta de avaliação de eficiência de hospitais universitários federais de perfil geral. MÉTODOS A análise envoltória de dados, técnica de programação linear, constrói uma fronteira de melhores práticas pela comparação da produção observada dadas as quantidades de recursos despendidas. O modelo é orientado a produto, e considera retornos variáveis de escala. A análise envoltória de dados em redes considera variáveis de ligação que pertencem a mais de uma dimensão (no modelo, médicos residentes, internações ajustadas e projetos de pesquisa). A análise envoltória de dados dinâmica usa variáveis de transporte (no modelo, receita) para analisar o deslocamento da fronteira em anos subsequentes. Os dados foram coletados do sistema de informações do MEC, 2010 a 2013. RESULTADOS Os escores médios de assistência, ensino e pesquisa no período foram: 58,0%, 86,0% e 61,0%, respectivamente. Em 2012, ano de melhor desempenho, para que todas as unidades atingissem a fronteira, seria necessário aumento médio de consultas de 65,0%; de internações, de 34,0%; de alunado de graduação, de 12,0%, de residência multiprofissional, de 13,0%, de pós-graduação, de 48,0%; de projetos de pesquisa, de 7,0%; além de queda de 9,0% de residentes médicos. No mesmo ano, para melhora da fronteira de produção assistencial, seria necessária a injeção de um aporte adicional de receita de 0,9%. Observou-se progressão da eficiência no ensino; oscilação na assistência e estagnação na pesquisa na avaliação dinâmica. CONCLUSÕES O modelo proposto gera parâmetros de planejamento e programação em saúde pública por meio do cálculo dos escores de eficiência e das projeções necessárias para alcance das fronteiras de melhores práticas.OBJECTIVE To develop an assessment tool to evaluate the efficiency of federal university general hospitals. METHODS Data envelopment analysis, a linear programming technique, creates a best practice frontier by comparing observed production given the amount of resources used. The model is output-oriented and considers variable returns to scale. Network data envelopment analysis considers link variables belonging to more than one dimension (in the model, medical residents, adjusted admissions, and research projects). Dynamic network data envelopment analysis uses carry-over variables (in the model, financing budget) to analyze frontier shift in subsequent years. Data were gathered from the information system of the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC), 2010-2013. RESULTS The mean scores for health care, teaching and research over the period were 58.0%, 86.0%, and 61.0%, respectively. In 2012, the best performance year, for all units to reach the frontier it would be necessary to have a mean increase of 65.0% in outpatient visits; 34.0% in admissions; 12.0% in undergraduate students; 13.0% in multi-professional residents; 48.0% in graduate students; 7.0% in research projects; besides a decrease of 9.0% in medical residents. In the same year, an increase of 0.9% in financing budget would be necessary to improve the care output frontier. In the dynamic evaluation, there was progress in teaching efficiency, oscillation in medical care and no variation in research. CONCLUSIONS The proposed model generates public health planning and programming parameters by estimating efficiency scores and making projections to reach the best practice frontier

Avaliação de desempenho e integração docente-assistencial nos hospitais universitários

OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance and integration between the health care and teaching dimensions in Brazilian university hospitals. METHODS: A network data envelopment analysis (DEA) model was designed to measure the performance of federal university hospitals, which enables the relationship between the teaching and health care dimensions to be considered simultaneously. Data from the Ministry of Education Information System of University Hospitals, in the second semester of 2003, were used. Results of the network model were compared to those of classical DEA models to assess the advantages of the new methodological proposal. RESULTS: The efficiency of the hospitals assessed varied between 0.19 and 1.00 (mean = 0.54). The dimensional score showed that hospitals prioritize the gain in health care efficiency. It was observed that there was a need to double the number of medical students and increase the number of residents by 14% to obtain efficiency in the teaching dimension. CONCLUSIONS: The model was useful for both unit managers, aiming to integrate teaching and health care, and regulatory organizations, when defining policies and incentives.OBJETIVO: Evaluar el desempeño y la integración entre las dimensiones de asistencia y de enseñanza de los hospitales universitarios brasileros. MÉTODOS: Un modelo de data envelopment analysis en redes (network DEA) fue elaborado para contrastar el desempeño de hospitales universitarios federales, permitiendo considerar la relación entre las dimensiones de enseñanza y de asistencia, simultáneamente. Fueron utilizados los datos del Sistema de Información de los Hospitales Universitarios del Ministerio de Educación de Brasil, correspondientes al segundo semestre de 2003, y los resultados del modelo network fueron comparados con aquellos modelos DEA tradicionales para evaluación de las ventajas de la nueva propuesta metodológica. RESULTADOS: La eficiencia de los hospitales evaluados varió entre 0,19 y 1,00 (promedio=0,54). El escore dimensional mostró que los hospitales priorizan la ganancia de eficiencia asistencial. Se observó que, para obtener eficiencia en la dimensión de enseñanza, hay necesidad de duplicar el número de alumnos de medicina y de aumentar los residentes en 14% para que se tornen eficientes en la dimensión de enseñanza. CONCLUSIONES: El modelo mostró utilidad de aplicación tanto para los gestores de las unidades, buscando la integración docente-asistencial, como para los órganos reguladores, en la definición de políticas e incentivos.OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho e a integração entre as dimensões de assistência e de ensino dos hospitais universitários brasileiros. MÉTODOS: Um modelo de data envelopment analysis em redes (network DEA) foi elaborado para aferir o desempenho de hospitais universitários federais, o qual permite considerar a relação entre as dimensões de ensino e de assistência, simultaneamente. Foram utilizados os dados do Sistema de Informação dos Hospitais Universitários do Ministério da Educação, referentes ao segundo semestre de 2003, e os resultados do modelo network foram comparados àqueles dos modelos DEA tradicionais para avaliação das vantagens da nova proposta metodológica. RESULTADOS: A eficiência dos hospitais avaliados variou entre 0,19 e 1,00 (média = 0,54). O escore dimensional mostrou que os hospitais priorizam o ganho de eficiência assistencial. Observou-se que há necessidade de dobrar o número de alunos de medicina e de aumentar os residentes em 14% para que se tornem eficientes na dimensão de ensino. CONCLUSÕES: O modelo mostrou utilidade de aplicação tanto para os gestores das unidades, visando à integração docente-assistencial, como para os órgãos reguladores, na definição de políticas e incentivos

Aspectos clínicos e diagnósticos da microsporidiose intestinal em pacientes com infecção pelo HIV e diarréia crônica, no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The objectives of this study were to determine both the prevalence of microsporidial intestinal infection and the clinical outcome of the disease in a cohort of 40 HIV-infected patients presenting with chronic diarrhea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Each patient, after clinical evaluation, had stools and intestinal fragments examined for viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens. Microsporidia were found in 11 patients (27.5%) either in stools or in duodenal or ileal biopsies. Microsporidial spores were found more frequently in stools than in biopsy fragments. Samples examined using transmission electron microscopy (n=3) or polymerase chain reaction (n=6) confirmed Enterocytozoon bieneusi as the causative agent. Microsporidia were the only potential enteric pathogens found in 5 of the 11 patients. Other pathogens were also detected in the intestinal tract of 21 patients, but diarrhea remained unexplained in 8. We concluded that microsporidial infection is frequently found in HIV infected persons in Rio de Janeiro, and it seems to be a marker of advanced stage of AIDS.Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar a prevalência e o prognóstico clínico da infecção por microsporídios em uma coorte de 40 pacientes com infecção pelo HIV e diarréia crônica na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Cada paciente teve suas fezes e fragmentos de intestino examinados para a pesquisa de CMV, bactérias e parasitos. A prevalência de microsporidiose foi de 27,5% (n=11). Esporos de microsporídios foram encontrados com maior frequência no exame direto das fezes do que em biópsias de intestino delgado. A microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e a reação de polimerase em cadeia (PCR) identificaram Enterocytozoon bieneusi, respectivamente, em 3 e 6 amostras examinadas, confirmando a espécie como único agente causal. Nenhum outro microrganismo patogênico, além dos microsporídios, foi detectada em 5 dos pacientes com diarréia. Outros parasitos foram encontrados no trato digestivo de 21 pacientes, enquanto que em 8 a etiologia da diarréia não foi definida. Concluímos que a infecção por microsporídios pode ser freqüentemente encontrada em indivíduos infectados pelo HIV no Rio de Janeiro

Difficulties in access and estimates of public beds in intensive care units in the state of Rio de Janeiro

OBJECTIVE To estimate the required number of public beds for adults in intensive care units in the state of Rio de Janeiro to meet the existing demand and compare results with recommendations by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. METHODS The study uses a hybrid model combining time series and queuing theory to predict the demand and estimate the number of required beds. Four patient flow scenarios were considered according to bed requests, percentage of abandonments and average length of stay in intensive care unit beds. The results were plotted against Ministry of Health parameters. Data were obtained from the State Regulation Center from 2010 to 2011. RESULTS There were 33,101 medical requests for 268 regulated intensive care unit beds in Rio de Janeiro. With an average length of stay in regulated ICUs of 11.3 days, there would be a need for 595 active beds to ensure system stability and 628 beds to ensure a maximum waiting time of six hours. Deducting current abandonment rates due to clinical improvement (25.8%), these figures fall to 441 and 417. With an average length of stay of 6.5 days, the number of required beds would be 342 and 366, respectively; deducting abandonment rates, 254 and 275. The Brazilian Ministry of Health establishes a parameter of 118 to 353 beds. Although the number of regulated beds is within the recommended range, an increase in beds of 122.0% is required to guarantee system stability and of 134.0% for a maximum waiting time of six hours. CONCLUSIONS Adequate bed estimation must consider reasons for limited timely access and patient flow management in a scenario that associates prioritization of requests with the lowest average length of stay.OBJETIVO Determinar o número necessário de leitos públicos de unidades de terapia intensiva para adultos no estado do Rio de Janeiro para atender à demanda existente, e comparar os resultados com a recomendação do Ministério da Saúde. MÉTODOS Seguiu-se modelo híbrido que agrega séries temporais e teoria de filas para prever a demanda e estimar o número de leitos necessários. Foram considerados quatro cenários de fluxo de pacientes, de acordo com as solicitações de vagas, proporção de desistências e tempo médio de permanência no leito de unidade de terapia intensiva. Os resultados foram confrontados com os parâmetros do Ministério da Saúde. Os dados foram obtidos da Central Estadual de Regulação, de 2010 a 2011. RESULTADOS Houve 33.101 solicitações médicas para 268 leitos de unidade de terapia intensiva regulados no Rio de Janeiro. Com tempo médio de permanência das unidades de terapia intensiva reguladas de 11,3 dias, haveria necessidade de 595 leitos ativos para garantir a estabilidade do sistema e 628 leitos para o tempo máximo na fila de seis horas. Deduzidas as atuais taxas de desistência por melhora clínica (25,8%), estes números caem para 441 e 471. Com tempo médio de permanência de 6,5 dias, o número necessário seria de 342 e 366 leitos, respectivamente; deduzidas as taxas de desistência, de 254 e 275. O Ministério da Saúde estabelece parâmetro de 118 a 353 leitos. Embora o número de leitos regulados esteja na faixa recomendada, necessita-se incremento de 122,0% de leitos para garantir a estabilidade do sistema e de 134,0% para um tempo máximo de espera de seis horas. CONCLUSÕES O dimensionamento adequado de leitos deve considerar os motivos de limitações de acesso oportuno e a gestão do fluxo de pacientes em um cenário que associa priorização das solicitações com menor tempo médio de permanência

Sex differences in dementia risk and risk factors: Individual‐participant data analysis using 21 cohorts across six continents from the COSMIC consortium

Introduction: Sex differences in dementia risk, and risk factor (RF) associations with dementia, remain uncertain across diverse ethno‐regional groups. Methods: A total of 29,850 participants (58% women) from 21 cohorts across six continents were included in an individual participant data meta‐analysis. Sex‐specific hazard ratios (HRs), and women‐to‐men ratio of hazard ratios (RHRs) for associations between RFs and all‐cause dementia were derived from mixed‐effect Cox models. Results: Incident dementia occurred in 2089 (66% women) participants over 4.6 years (median). Women had higher dementia risk (HR, 1.12 [1.02, 1.23]) than men, particularly in low‐ and lower‐middle‐income economies. Associations between longer education and former alcohol use with dementia risk (RHR, 1.01 [1.00, 1.03] per year, and 0.55 [0.38, 0.79], respectively) were stronger for men than women; otherwise, there were no discernible sex differences in other RFs. Discussion: Dementia risk was higher in women than men, with possible variations by country‐level income settings, but most RFs appear to work similarly in women and men

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

Analiza efektywności wydatków na służbę zdrowia w brazylijskich stolicach stanowych w oparciu o metodę Network Data Envelopment Analysis

Aim: In 1988, Brazil implemented profound changes in the organization and financing of its public health system, with the creation of the Unified Health System (Sistema Unico de Saúde – SUS), establishing universal health coverage. The gradual expansion of the health system and entitlements to services has been accompanied by the debate about the appropriate level of government spending and health system efficiency.   Design / Research methods:  The study uses VRS - output oriented, Dynamic Network SBM DEA model, period 2008-2013, to depict the relationships that take place between diverse levels of care (primary health care/PHC and secondary-tertiary health care/STC). DMUs are Brazilian state capitals, which implement key health policies and assist patients from smaller surrounding municipalities, especially for STC. Inputs are PHC and STC budgets; outputs are their respective services provided and avoidable deaths. The link variable is PHC medical consultation, entrance door to the system and gatekeeper for more complex levels of care. Dynamic model evaluates efficiency across time.   Conclusions / findings: Overall performance was 0.86; for PHC, 0.90; for STC, 0.85 (SD=0.15). 8 out of 27 capitals were fully efficient. Capitals increased average scores in both levels of care, but only STC had a positive technological change (frontier shift >1). Link variable behavior denotes a bottleneck between levels of care. Projections onto the frontier enable establish own management diagnosis and goals for financing and development.   Originality / value of the article:  Network models mimic hierarchically organized health systems. The appliance of results aids health policy.Cel: W 1988 roku Brazylia wdrożyła dogłębne zmiany w organizacji oraz finansowaniu systemu służby zdrowia, powołując do życia Zunifikowany System Opieki Zdrowotnej („Sistema Unico de Saúde” – SUS), zakładający powszechny dostęp do służby zdrowia. Stopniowemu rozszerzaniu systemu opieki zdrowotnej oraz uprawnień do usług medycznych towarzyszyła debata dotycząca odpowiedniego poziomu wydatków rządowych i wydajności systemu.   Metodyka badań: W badaniu wykorzystano zmienne efekty skali zorientowane na wyniki, model Slacks-Based-Measure oparty na dynamicznej sieciowej metodzie obwiedni danych (ang.: Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)) dla danych z lat 2008-2013, aby zobrazować zależność, jaka zachodzi pomiędzy różnymi poziomami opieki (podstawowa opieka zdrowotna (ang. primary health care (PHC)) oraz opieka zdrowotna drugiego i trzeciego stopnia (ang. secondary-tertiary health care (STC)). Jednostkami podejmującymi decyzje są brazylijskie stolice stanowe, które wdrażają kluczowe założenia polityki zdrowotnej oraz wspierają pacjentów z okolicznych, mniejszych jednostek administracyjnych, szczególnie w zakresie STC. Nakłady stanowią budżety PHC i STC, natomiast wynikami są wynikające z nich usługi oraz przypadki zagrożenia życia, w których udało się uratować pacjentów. Powiązana zmienna to konsultacje medyczne w ramach PHC, drzwi wejściowe do systemu oraz strażnik bramy do bardziej kompleksowych poziomów opieki. Dynamiczny model pozwala oceniać wydajność w czasie.   Wnioski: Ogólny stan wyniósł 0,86, przy czym dla PHC kształtował się na poziomie 0,90, a dla STC 0,85 (SD=0,15). 8 z 27 stolic okazało się w pełni wydajnych. Stolice zdołały zwiększyć wyniki w obu poziomach opieki zdrowotnej, ale tylko STC doświadczyło pozytywnej zmiany technologicznej (frontier shift > 1). Zmienna powiązana wykazała wąskie gardło pomiędzy poziomami opieki. Projekcje dotyczące granic (frontier shift) pozwoliły ustalić własną diagnozę dotyczącą zarządzania oraz cele związane z finansowaniem i rozwojem. Wartość artykułu: Modele sieciowe naśladują hierarchicznie zorganizowane systemy opieki zdrowotnej. Wykorzystanie wyników wspiera politykę służby zdrowia

AVALIAÇÃO DO ENSINO-APRENDIZAGEM DA EPIDEMIOLOGIA PARA RESIDÊNCIA MULTIPROFISSIONAL DO HOSPITAL UNIVERSITÁRIO CLEMENTINO FRAGA FILHO

Os hospitais universitários são centros formadores de recursos humanos. Sua missão baseia-se na tríade ensino-pesquisa-assistência, sendo a avaliação do processo ensino-aprendizado fundamental para o aprimoramento desse eixo. Objetivo: Avaliar o ensino-aprendizado da disciplina Princípios Básicos de Epidemiologia ministrada pelo Serviço de Epidemiologia e Avaliação para o Programa de Residência Multiprofissional do HUCFF, em 2014. Metodologia: Foi aplicado um instrumento de avaliação, com 15 questões de múltipla escolha baseadas no conteúdo programático, antes (pré-teste) e após (pós-teste) as aulas para 53 residentes. As aulas foram divididas em 3 tópicos: Introdução à Epidemiologia, Vigilância Epidemiológica e Estudos Epidemiológicos. O desempenho dos alunos foi comparado nos dois momentos. As questões foram classificadas quanto ao nível de dificuldade encontrado. Resultados: A média de acertos no pré-teste foi de 52,9% (σ=10,3%) e no pós-teste de 80,5% (σ=10,3%). O melhor desempenho foi no tópico Vigilância Epidemiológica (96,2%) e o pior em Introdução à Epidemiologia (70,2%). As questões de alta dificuldade prevaleceram na Introdução à Epidemiologia (60%) e as de baixa nos Estudos Epidemiológicos (80%). Conclusão: Os resultados dos testes indicaram melhora no desempenho após as aulas.Palavras-chave: Hospital Universitário. Avaliação do Ensino-Aprendizado. SUS