Advanced units: quality measures in urgency and emergency care

• Published in: Einstein (São Paulo, Brazil) Brazil), 2014-10, Vol.12 (4), p.492-498
• Main Authors: Viola, Dan Carai Maia, Cordioli, Eduardo, Pedrotti, Carlos Henrique Sartorato, Iervolino, Mauro, Bastos Neto, Antonio da Silva, Almeida, Luis Roberto Natel de, Neves, Henrique Sutton de Sousa, Lottenberg, Claudio Luiz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Ambulatory Care - statistics & numerical data; Atenção primária à saúde; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Child, Preschool; Emergency Medical Services - statistics & numerical data; Emergency Treatment - statistics & numerical data; Female; Health Economics and Management; Humans; Indicadores de qualidade em assistência à saúde; Length of Stay; Male; Medical Records; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - statistics & numerical data; Quality Assurance, Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Serviços médicos de emergência; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Triage - statistics & numerical data; Triagem
• ISSN: 1679-4508; 2317-6385; 2317-6385
• DOI: 10.1590/S1679-45082014GS2894

To evaluate, through care indicators, the quality of services rendered to patients considered urgency and emergency cases at an advanced emergency care unit. We analyzed data from managerial reports of 64,891 medical visits performed in the Emergency Care Unit of the Ibirapuera Unit at Care during the period from June 1st, 2012 through May 31st, 2013. The proposed indicators for the assessment of care were rate of death in the emergency care unit; average length of stay of patients in the unit; rate of unplanned return visits; admission rate for patients screened as level 1 according to the Emergency Severity Index; rate of non-finalized medical consultations; rate of complaints; and door-to-electrocardiogram time. The rate of death in the emergency care unit was zero. Five of the 22 patients classified as Emergency Severity Index 1 (22.7%) arrived presenting cardiac arrest. All were treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation and reestablishment of vital functions. The average length of stay of patients in the unit was 3 hours, 33 minutes, and 7 seconds. The rate of unscheduled return visits at the emergency care unit of the Ibirapuera unit was 13.64%. Rate of complaints was 2.8/1,000 patients seen during the period. The model of urgency and emergency care in advanced units provides an efficient and efficaious service to patients. Both critically ill patients and those considered less complex can receive proper treatment for their needs.