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

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Tipo

Artigo de periódico

Título alternativo

Reorganização espacial da provisão de serviços hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde
Reordenación espacial de la prestación de servicios hospitalarios en el Sistema Único de Salud brasileño

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Membros da banca

Resumo

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.

Abstract

Assunto

Acesso a serviços de saúde, Serviços Hospitalares, Eficácia, Equidade

Palavras-chave

Health Services Accessibility, Hospital Services, Efficacy, Equity

Citação

Curso

Endereço externo

https://www.scielo.br/j/csp/a/W7y4BhzJxt7jkD4xcbSbcvq/?lang=en

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