Operational research principles for a routine service process for monitoring the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treatment cascade: data from a cohort in Brazil

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Bottlenecks still exist during human immunodeficiency virus care that may delay the achievement of better outcomes.

METHODS:

We established a monitoring system to trace patients throughout the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome care process in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, to identify potential bottlenecks.

RESULTS:

Among 250 patients, 17.6% abandoned follow-up. Our monitoring system tracked 86.4% of patients through the medication logistics control system and 2.3% through the mortality information system. Two percent of patients were not located by our monitoring system.

CONCLUSIONS:

A pathway care process contributes to a better understanding of the barriers to the treatment cascade.

Keywords:
Human immunodeficiency virus; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Operational research in health