Abstract

HESPANHOL, Alberto  and  PINTO, Alexandre Sousa. São João Health Center : "Tubo de Ensaio" - five years at work. Arq Med [online]. 2005, vol.19, n.3, pp.103-111. ISSN 2183-2447.

The aims of this work was to describe, in general, the work done at São João Health Centre and its cost in five years of activity. Data from the functioning of São João Health Centre, available at the computer system of the Department of General Practice and of the Porto Health Sub Region, were collected monthly. The results of the Health Care Programs in São João Health Centre, in the years 1999 to 2004 are quite similar to those found in many other Portuguese Health Centres. They demonstrate that it has been possible to deliver satisfactory Primary Health Care at the cost of 129.31 € per year, per registered patient. The increase of the indexes of price per consultation and per registered patient during the period were similar, the latter showing some tendency to stabilise in the last year. The average price per prescription showed some stability, showing an upward tendency in 2004. The annual capitation per registered patient, 129.31 €, didn’t include the expenses in the premises, in the equipment, with the Public Health staff, with vaccines, contraceptive pills and the NHS forms. However, in addition to the expenses with the staff, therapeutic drugs, diagnostic tests, maintenance of the premises and of the equipment, were included "other expenses". The "other expenses" included dressing materials, physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, aerosoltherapy, nebulizations and mechanical ventilation (CPAPs) prescribed in São João Health Centre. Absurdly, high expenses with haemodialysis of patients registered in São João Health Centre were also included.

Keywords : Health Care Quality; Management Quality; Primary Health Care; General Practice; Family Medicine.

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