ABSTRACT
BackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is spreading rapidly throughout China and the world. Hence, early surveillance and public health emergency disposal are considered crucial to curb this emerging infectious disease. However, studies that investigated the early surveillance and public health emergency disposal for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 outbreak in China are relatively few. We aimed to compare the strengths and weaknesses of early surveillance and public health emergency disposal for prevention and control between COVID-19 and H7N9 avian influenza, which was commended by the international community, in China. MethodsA case-comparison study was conducted using a set of six key time nodes to form a reference framework for evaluating early surveillance and public health emergency disposal between H7N9 avian influenza (2013) in Shanghai, China and COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. FindingsA report to the local Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China, for the first hospitalized patient was sent after 6 and 20 days for H7N9 avian influenza and COVID-19, respectively. In contrast, the pathogen was identified faster in the case of COVID-19 than in the case of H7N9 avian influenza (12 days vs. 31 days). The government response regarding COVID-19 was 10 days later than that regarding avian influenza. The entire process of early surveillance and public health emergency disposal lasted 5 days longer in COVID-19 than in H7N9 avian influenza (46 days vs. 41 days). ConclusionsThe identification of the unknown pathogen improved in China between the outbreaks of avian influenza and COVID-19. The longer emergency disposal period in the case of COVID-19 could be attributed to the governments slower response to the epidemic. Improving public health emergency management could lessen the adverse social effects of emerging infectious diseases and public health crisis in the future.
ABSTRACT
Objective To objectively study the current progress of China Healthcare Improvement Initiative, and its effectiveness and shortcomings for further improvement. Methods Questionnaires were customized by expert consultation and pre-investigation, and distributed by the National Health Commission in April 2018 to the hospitals.Data of 5 469 hospitals were recovered and analyzed with a statistics software for descriptive analysis.Results Implementation progress of the five working systems varied with regions, and rooms of improvement were found in such aspects as outpatient appointment, clinical pathway management and social work system.In 2017, the proportion of outpatient appointments of 5 469 hospitals averaged 19.1%.Progress of the ten major service models also varied, as defects were found in such service models as continuous medical service, intelligent service, and interconnection service.In 2017, only 6.7% of the 5 469 hospitals had put in place hierarchical integrated clinical pathways within their medical alliances.Conclusions Improvement of the medical services calls for not only the efforts of medical institutions themselves, but also top-level design by the local health authorities. In particular, an online information platform should be established for the whole region, to unify the information standards and processes, and corresponding mechanisms and system support are needed.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:To explore losses and gains (L&G) and L&G ratio induced by Essential Medicine System in a county. METHODS:By choosing a county in western China as sample area,field investigation was used to collect outpatient and inpatient visits,outpatient and inpatient income,drug income,total length of stay and medical insurance reimbursement criteria in primary medical institutions (township health centers,village health rooms) of the county during 2009-2015. By setting the year 2009 as the baseline year,the drug cost reimbursed by medical insurance was simulated and calculated when Essential Medicine System were not implemented;L&G and L&G ratio of medical insurance were calculated by comparing with actual drug cost reimbursed by medical insurance. RESULTS:The year 2012,in which the sample county fully implemented the Essential Medicine System was the turning year. Medical insurance funds lost in primary medical institutions of the county during 2010-2011(lost 437000,915000 yuan,respectively),but gained during 2012 to 2015(gained 199000,494000,858000,1290000 yuan, respectively);the L&G ratio increased from -0.67％ to 1.21％. For reimbursed outpatient drug cost and inpatient cost,L&G of medical insurance were different. For reimbursed drug cost of village health room and township health center,L&G of medical insurance were also different. CONCLUSIONS:The implementation of Essential Medicine System benefits to medical insurance within the county and Medical insurance funds can be saved.
