The objective of this study is to define the demographic and epidemiologic profile of individuals who seek adult emergency care at Hospital Da Restauração, a large hospital used by people from all over the state of Pernambuco and managed by the state health department. OBJECTIVE: to identify the profile of those who use the system, to assess the adequacy of the system as to institutional commitment, and to analyze the changes that have taken place following the municipalization of healthcare in 1994. METHOD: Analysis of a data series of a sample formed by 16,383 charts of patients who received care in 1993, 1997 and 2001. Variables studied: diagnosis (adequate and inadequate), municipalization, family health program; co-variables: gender, age group, day, time, and origin. RESULTS: In regard to diagnoses, most were inadequate (74.5%). The municipalization of healthcare services and the implementation of the family health program have not entailed significant changes in service demand. Two age groups make up more than half of the individuals seeking health care (20-29 and 30-39). When it comes to specialties, the greatest demand fell on trauma followed by clinical surgery. Nearly all patients (90%) are from Recife and its surroundings. The greatest demand for healthcare takes place on Mondays and during the day. Results show that the hospital meets requirements as to providing preferential care on multiple trauma, neurosurgery and clinical emergencies. However, the fact that most cases brought to the hospital do not meet its profile compromises the quality of the care provided.
Emergency health care services; Emergency hospitals; Family health program; Program assessments; Health care services; Needs and demands
