The integration of the Emergency Care Units (UPA) with healthcare services in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The launching of Emergency Care Units (UPA in Portuguese) was a prominent health policy in the city of Rio de Janeiro during recent years. The aim of this study was to examine UPAs’ integration with other health services in order to assess their impact on the development of integrated healthcare networks. Nine interviews with state and local managers, UPAs’ coordinators and primary care units’ coordinators were performed. The data collected were interpreted under Giddens’ Structuration Theory. UPAs presented a low level of integration with other healthcare facilities within local emergency care network, due to structural problems as well as managerial fragmentation. In spite of the political and financial investment, the strategy of the UPAs has not been able to overcome the low degree of integration among local health services. Moreover, primary care services remain a lower priority. Thus, UPAs have contributed in lesser extent to the development of integrated healthcare networks.

Emergency medical services; Delivery of healthcare; Health services administration