Future fire-smoke PM2.5 health burden under climate change in Paraguay.

Recent years have seen a rise in wildfire and extreme weather activity across the globe, which is projected to keep increasing with climate-induced conditions. Air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration, is heavily affected by PM2.5 emissions from wildfire activity. Paraguay has been historically suffering from fires, with an average of 2.3 million hectares burnt per year during the 2003-2021 period. Annual PM2.5 concentration in Paraguay is 13.2 µg/m3, more than double the recommended by the WHO. We estimate that, historically, almost 40 % of fine air particulates can be attributed to fires. Using a random forest algorithm, we estimate future fire activity and fire related PM2.5 under different climate change scenarios. With global warming, we calculate that fire activity could increase by up to 120 % by 2100. Annual fire smoke PM2.5 from fires is expected to increase by 7.7 µg/m3 by 2100. Under these conditions, Paraguay is expected to suffer an increase in 3500 deaths per year attributable to fire smoke PM2.5 by 2100. We estimate the economic cost of fire smoke-related mortality by 2100 at US $ 5600 million, equivalent to 2.6 % of Paraguay's GDP, excluding other health- and productivity-related impacts on society.

Resource utilization and costs related to the management of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy under the Brazilian supplementary healthcare system´s perspective: results from a modified Delphi panel / Utilização de recursos e custos relacionados ao manejo da cardiomiopatia hipertrófica obstrutiva sob a perspectiva do sistema de saúde suplementar brasileiro: resultados de um painel Delphi modificado

Objective: To generate data on the costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive ypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) from the perspective of the private health system in Brazil. Methods: A modified Delphi panel including seven different specialists (three clinical cardiologists with experience in obstructive HCM, two hemodynamicists with experience in septal ablation and two cardiac surgeons with expertise in myectomy), from two Brazilian states (São Paulo and Pernambuco), was conducted between August and November 2022. Two rounds of questions about the use of healthcare resources according to the functional class (NYHA I-IV) and a panel in a virtual platform were conducted to obtain the final consensus. Micro-costing defined costs and unit values were determined based on official price lists. Results: The total diagnosis cost per patient was estimated at BRL 11,486.81. The obstructive HCM management costs analysis showed average annual costs per patient of BRL 17,026.74, BRL 19,401.46, BRL 73,310.07, and BRL 94,885.75 for the functional classes NYHA I, NYHA II, NYHA III, and NYHA IV, respectively. The average costs per patient related to procedures in a year were BRL 12,698.53, BRL 13,462.30, BRL 58,841.67, and BRL 75,595.90 for the functional classes NYHA I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Conclusions: The annual costs of HCM management increased according to the functional class, highlighting the need for safe and effective strategies to improve patient's NYHA functional class while promoting a decrease in the need for invasive therapies.

Objetivo: Gerar dados acerca dos custos associados ao diagnóstico e tratamento da cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) obstrutiva, sob a perspectiva do sistema de saúde privado no Brasil. Métodos: Um painel Delphi modificado incluindo sete especialistas (três cardiologistas clínicos com experiência em CMH obstrutiva, dois hemodinamicistas com experiência em ablação de septo e dois cirurgiões cardíacos com experiência em miectomia) de dois estados brasileiros (São Paulo e Pernambuco) foi conduzido entre agosto e novembro de 2022. Foram realizadas duas rodadas de perguntas acerca da utilização de recursos de acordo com a classe funcional (NYHA I-IV) e uma reunião virtual para obtenção do consenso final. Os custos foram definidos por meio de microcusteio, e os valores unitários foram definidos com base em listas de preço oficiais. Resultados: O custo total do diagnóstico por paciente foi estimado em R$ 11.486,81. A análise de custos de manejo da CMH obstrutiva mostrou custos médios anuais por paciente de R$ 17.026,74, R$ 19.401,46, R$ 73.310,07 e R$ 94.885,75 para as classes funcionais NYHA I, NYHA II, NYHA III e NYHA IV, respectivamente. Os custos médios por paciente relacionados a procedimentos em um ano foram de R$ 12.698,53, R$ 13.462,30, R$ 58.841,67 e R$ 75.595,90 para as classes NYHA I, II, III e IV, respectivamente. Conclusões: Os custos anuais com o manejo da CMH aumentam de acordo com a classe funcional, destacando a necessidade de estratégias seguras e eficazes capazes de melhorar a classe funcional NYHA do paciente, ao mesmo tempo que promove diminuição da necessidade de terapias invasivas.

Acidentes por quedas na população idosa: análise de tendência temporal de 2000 a 2020 e o impacto econômico estimado no sistema de saúde brasileiro em 2025 / Fall accidents in older people: a time trend analysis of the period 2000-2020 and the estimated economic burden on the Brazilian health system in 2025

Resumo O acompanhamento longitudinal de indicadores, como os relacionados às quedas acidentais, pode facilitar o planejamento de ações mais eficazes de assistência e prevenção. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a tendência temporal das variáveis relacionadas aos acidentes de quedas na população idosa no Brasil e no estado de São Paulo entre 2000 e 2020 e estimar o impacto econômico para o SUS em 2025. Este é um estudo observacional retrospectivo com abordagem quantitativa, com dados do Sistema de Informação em Saúde. Foram utilizados os softwares Joinpoint Regression Program versão 4.7.0 e SPSS versão 20.0 para a realização de regressões lineares, além da análise Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC), adotando um intervalo de confiança de 95%. No país, houve aumento das internações nos dois períodos analisados, assim como os gastos totais, em todos os segmentos analisados. Em concordância no estado de São Paulo, o valor total e as internações apresentaram aumento (AAPC, sendo 8,5% e 4,3% respectivamente). No ano de 2025, as internações por quedas no Brasil estarão próximas a 150 mil, gerando custos em torno de R$ 260 milhões. Houve o aumento das variáveis analisadas, mostrando a importância de programas de prevenção de quedas associados a políticas públicas nacionais.

Abstract Longitudinal monitoring of indicators of accidental falls can facilitate the planning of effective care and prevention actions. This article aims to analyze temporal trends in variables related to falls among older persons in Brazil and in the state of São Paulo during the period 2000-2020 and estimate the projected economic burden on the health system in 2025. We conducted a quantitative retrospective observational study using data from the Health Information System. The Joinpoint Regression Program version 4.7.0 and SPSS version 20.0 were used to perform linear regression and calculate the Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC), adopting a 95% confidence interval. There was an increase in mean and total admissions costs due to falls at national level in both intervals of the study period. There was an increase in total admissions costs and the total number of admissions due to falls in the state of São Paulo (AAPC of 8.5% and 4.3%, respectively). Projections for the year 2025 suggest that the total number of admissions due to falls in Brazil will be around 150,000, resulting in costs of approximately R$ 260 million. There was an increase in the variables analyzed by this study, revealing the importance of fall prevention programs associated with national public policies.

Confinamiento involuntario durante la Pandemia COVID -19: Costos en la salud mental y psicosocial / Involuntary confinement during the COVID -19 Pandemic: Mental and psychosocial health costs

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar costos del confinamiento involuntario por la pandemia COVID -19 en la salud mental y psicosocial. Materiales y Métodos: Se realiza una revisión exploratoria documental del confinamiento involuntario y las afecciones o costes en el ser humano, se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos bibliográficos y a través de internet en revistas y organismos públicos de cuatro descriptores y sus combinaciones, salud mental, salud psicosocial, costos en la pandemia COVID -19, confinamiento involuntario, entre los años 2019 a 2021. Luego de la localización de 20 estudios se realizó una selección y análisis de la documentación, excluyendo 5 de ellos que no eran relevantes para el objetivo, para el análisis de datos se estructuró la información, en costos en la salud mental identificando afectaciones neurofisiológicas como la confusión en el sistema lucha-huida y la hiperactivación y/o hipoactivación del sistema nervioso y en costos psicosociales ante el confinamiento como la sensación de amenaza anticipada y continua, ansiedad, miedo, tristeza, dolor, depresión, sobre estrés, traumas, vulnerabilidad y cambios culturales. Resultados: La pandemia COVID-19 es inédita, histórica, multinacional y de impacto multidimensional, la falta de mitigación de esta y el tiempo excedido de resistirla ha expuesto al ser humano a continuos estresores que erosionan la seguridad y causan incertidumbre, aunado a ello, durante la pandemia el confinamiento ha traído consigo altos costos en la salud mental de tipo neurológicos y psicosociales tales como el sobre-estrés, síntomas ansioso-depresivos, vulnerabilidad en la integridad personal y social. Conclusiones: Se requiere generar estrategias de bienestar emocional para disminuir el impacto en la salud mental, psíquica y al entramado social a partir de propiciar la recuperación de redes de empatía, benevolencia, compasión, apoyo solidario, colectivizando el dolor y las perdidas, diluyendo el impacto de esta al recuperar la confianza y seguridad en uno mismo, en los otros.

Abstract Objective: To identify the costs of involuntary confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the mental and psychosocial health. Materials and methods: An exploratory documentary review of involuntary confinement and its costs in the human nature was carried out. Four descriptors and their combinations, mental health, health psychosocial, costs in the COVID -19 pandemic, and involuntary confinement were searched in bibliographic databases and online in journals and public organizations from 2019 to 2021. 20 studies were found. After selecting and analyzing the documentation five studies were excluded as they were not relevant. To analyze the data, the information was classified in mental health costs, identifying neurophysiological effects such as confusion in the fight-flight system and hyperactivation and/or hypoactivation of the nervous system, and in psychosocial costs in the face of confinement, such as the feeling of anticipated and continuous threat, anxiety, fear, sadness, pain, depression, over stress, trauma, vulnerability, and cultural changes. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, historical, multinational and has a multidimensional impact. The lack of mitigation and the time exceeded resisting it has exposed the humans to continuous stressors that undermine confidence and cause uncertainty. In addition, during the pandemic, confinement brought with it high mental health costs of a neurological and psychosocial nature, such as overstress, anxious-depressive symptoms, vulnerability in personal and social integrity. Conclusions: It is necessary to generate emotional well-being strategies to reduce the impact on mental and psychic health and the social fabric by promoting the recovery of networks of empathy, benevolence, compassion, solidarity support, collectivizing pain and losses, thus recovering confidence and security in oneself and in others.

Analysis of the Direct Cost of Medical and Surgical Care for Testicular Cancer in Early and Advanced Stages in a Third Level Medical Facility of the Mexican Social Security Institute.

BACKGROUND: The testicular cancer prevails in the third decade of life, the care cost increases with higher staging of the disease. OBJECTIVE: Compare the direct costs of medical and surgical attention for testicular cancer in early and advanced stages in a Third Level Medical Facility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Process study, direct costs of medical attention are evaluated. Number of laboratory studies, imaging studies, and medical and surgical treatment were analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 early stages and group 2 advanced stages. Mann Whitney U test was used for the difference between groups. RESULTS: There were 10 patients in each group, Group 1: 8 (80%) seminomas and 2 (20%) non-seminoma, Group 2: 4 (40%) seminomas and 6 (60%) non-seminomas. The average cost of care in Group 2 is higher than in Group 1, $288,827.90 and $145,911.70 Mexican pesos respectively (p=0.00578). CONCLUSIONS: The direct cost of medical attention is higher in the advanced stages compared to the early stages.

Costos y resultados del tratamiento con Heberprot-P® en pacientes con pie diabético del Policlínico Ramón López Peña / Costs and Outcomes of Heberprot-P® Treatment in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcer from Ramón López Peña Polyclinic

Introducción: Las úlceras del pie diabético constituyen una de las principales causas de morbilidad y discapacidad, con una importante repercusión por la carga económica de la enfermedad y desde el punto de vista social, por la disminución de la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Objetivo: Evaluar costos y resultado del tratamiento ambulatorio con el Heberprot P® para la atención al paciente con úlcera del pie diabético. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y retrospectivo de 22 pacientes con pie diabético tratados con Heberprot-P®, en la consulta para tales fines del Policlínico Ramón López Peña en el año 2019. Resultados: El 63,6 por ciento de los pacientes que acudieron a consulta presentaron Pie de Riesgo grado cero; la úlcera neuroinfecciosa fue la de mayor incidencia de presentación (94,5 por ciento). Se obtuvo una efectividad del 95,4 por ciento del total de los casos tratados. La mayoría de los tratados necesitaron entre 3-8 bulbos del medicamento, con un promedio de 5 sesiones de tratamiento por paciente, a un costo promedio de $ 3 549,8 /caso tratado. Conclusiones: El tratamiento con el Heberprot P® es altamente efectivo para la cicatrización de las UPD, evitando en gran medida las amputaciones de los miembros inferiores de los pacientes con diabetes mellitus, con una consiguiente disminución del costo económico que tienen estas intervenciones sanitarias para el país(AU)

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the main causes of morbidity and disability, with an important repercussion due to the economic burden of the disease and from the social point of view, due to the decrease in patients' quality of life. Objective: To assess costs and outcomes of outpatient treatment with Heberpro-P® for the care of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: A descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study was carried out of 22 patients with diabetic foot treated with Heberprot-P®, in the consultation for such purposes of Ramón López Peña Polyclinic in 2019. Results: 63.6 percent of the patients who came for consultation presented zero risk foot; neuroinfectious ulcer was the one with the highest incidence of presentation (94.5 percent). An effectiveness rate of 95.4 percent of the total of treated cases was obtained. Most of those treated needed three to eight bulbs of the medication, with an average of five treatment sessions per patient, at an average cost of 3549.8 Cuban pesos per treated case. Conclusions: Treatment with Heberprot-P® is highly effective for the healing of diabetic foot ulcers, largely avoiding amputations of lower limbs of patients with diabetes mellitus, with a consequent decrease in the economic cost of these health interventions for the country(AU)

Application of neural network to simulate the behavior of hospitalizations and their costs under the effects of various polluting gases in the city of São Paulo.

This work aims to obtain an artificial neural network to simulate hospitalizations for respiratory diseases influenced by pollutant gaseous such as CO, PM10, PM2.5, NO2, O3, and SO2 emitted from 2011 to 2017, in the city of São Paulo. The hospitalization costs were also be calculated. MLP and RBF neural networks have been tested by varying the number of neurons in the hidden layer and the type of equation of the output function. The following pollutants and its concentration range were collected considering the supervision of Alto Tiete station set, in several neighborhoods in the city of São Paulo, from in the period 2011 to 2017: 28-63 µg/m3 of PM2.5, 52-110 µg/m3 of PM10, 49-135 µg/m3 of O3, 0.8-2.6 ppm CO, 41-98 µg/m3 of NO2, and 3-16 µg/m3 of SO2. Results showed that a RBF neural network with 6 input neurons, 13 hidden layer neurons, and 1 output neuron, using BFGS algorithm and a Gaussian function to neuronal activation, was the best fitted to the experimental datasets. So, knowing the monthly concentration of gaseous pollutions was possible to predict the hospitalization of 1464 to 3483 ± 510 patients, with costs between 570,447 and 1,357,151 ± 198,171 USD per month. This way, it is possible to use this neural network to predict the costs of hospitalizing patients for respiratory diseases and to contribute to the decision-making of how much the government should spend on health care.

Determinants of health expenditures during the last year of life of the Mexican population aged 50 or over.

During the last year of life of the elderly health deteriorates the most, thus becoming the period of time when needs of medical services, personal care requirements and related costs are at highest. Using the Mexican Health and Aging Study, differences by sex in the determinants for out-of-pocket health expenditures during the last year of life of people 50 and over are discussed. Three levels of out-of-pocket expenses disbursement are contemplated: none, medium-low, and high. Controlling by sociodemographic variables, findings suggest that the number of hospital nights is the main determinant of health expenses, even above those related to diseases that are regarded as main causes of death. This fact impacts both out-of-pocket expences and the costs for medical institution. It is another issue in the over-hauling of the public health system.

En las edades mayores el último año de vida es cuando la salud más se deteriora y es la etapa más demandante de atención médica y de cuidados. En consecuencia, también es la etapa más costosa. Se analizan diferencias por sexo en los determinantes de los gastos en salud por cuenta propia durante el último año de vida de personas de 50 y más, usando la encuesta del Estudio Nacional de Salud y Envejecimiento en México. Con estimaciones de gasto en tres niveles: ninguno, medio-bajo, y alto, controlando por variables sociodemográficas los resultados indican que el número de noches de hospital es la mayor determinante de gastos en salud, por encima de los relacionados con las enfermedades reconocidas como causa de muerte. Este factor tiene implicaciones en los gastos tanto por cuenta propia y como de las instituciones médicas. Son temas relevantes ante los cambios en el sistema de salud pública.

Envelhecimento, financiamento e inovação nos sistemas de saúde: uma discussão necessária para a manutenção do direito à saúde / Aging, financing, and innovation in the health care system: a necessary discussion to maintain the right to health

Resumo Neste artigo discute-se a salvaguarda do direito à saúde, no âmbito de um conjunto de direitos constitucionais, materializados por políticas públicas que organizam o Serviço Nacional de Saúde em Portugal. Diante da degradação dos termos da oferta, frequentes vezes ancorados em uma associação que, de per se, observa o envelhecimento demográfico como condição suficiente para justificar o aumento dos custos em saúde, legitimando assim restrições na oferta. Procedemos a uma revisão da literatura na busca de fatores capazes de validar essa associação, examinando argumentos necessários à compreensão desse processo, debatendo a validade de se perspectivarem custos em saúde utilizando modelos baseados na idade versus modelos preditivos que consideram o tempo até à morte - time-to-death. Adicionalmente, analisa-se a evolução das principais causas de mortalidade em Portugal entre 1990 e 2017 para os grupos 50-59 anos e ≥70 anos, causas de incapacidade, bem como as perspectivas de financiamento público em saúde em percentagem do PIB nos países da Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico até 2030, enquanto se equacionam soluções de adaptação urgente e necessária dos Sistemas de Saúde, de modo a que possam ganhar eficiência sem degradar a performance, contribuindo e investindo em uma também necessária corresponsabilização em saúde do lado da procura.

Abstract This article discusses the safeguarding of the right to health, within the scope of a set of constitutional rights, materialized by public policies that organize the National Health Service in Portugal. Before the degradation of supply terms, frequently based on an association that observes the demographic aging as enough condition to justify the increase in health costs, legitimizing consequent restrictions on the supply. We conduct a literature review to search for factors that validate this association, examining arguments to understand this process; debating the validity of prospecting health costs using age-based models versus predictive models that consider the time to death. Additionally, we analyze the evolution of the main causes of mortality in Portugal between 1990 and 2017 for the groups 50-59 years and ≥70 years, causes of disability, as well as the prospects for public health financing in the percentage of GDP in countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development by 2030, while urgent and necessary solutions for Health Systems are considered, so they can gain efficiency without degrading performance, contributing and investing in a necessary co-responsibility in health on the demand side.

Estudos de Microcusteio aplicados a avaliações econômicas em saúde: uma proposta metodológica para o Brasil / Microcosting methods applied to health economic assessment: a Brazilian methods guideline

Objetivo: No cenário da avaliação de tecnologias em saúde (ATS), as estimativas de custos são um fator crítico no desenvolvimento das avaliações econômicas completas, especialmente pelo uso de diferentes metodologias de custeio. A fim de contribuir com a acurácia dos dados de custos usados nessas análises, este artigo sugere recomendações para apuração de custos em saúde no Brasil. Métodos: Reuniram-se pesquisadores de ATS de diferentes expertises e centros de pesquisa do Brasil, e ao longo de dois anos foram conduzidas revisões da literatura nacional e internacional e discussões sobre as formas de abordar a temática. Três simpósios foram realizados reunindo os pesquisadores com o propósito de alcançar o consenso entre os autores sobre as melhores recomendações para a realização de estudos de Microcusteio. Resultados: Consolidou-se em forma de uma recomendação este artigo que representa uma versão compacta da diretriz completa a ser publicada pela Rede Brasileira de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde. A metodologia de Microcusteio é considerada como padrão-ouro para a identificação dos custos em saúde. Os métodos de definição do estudo, coleta e análise de dados apresentados são descritos de modo a permitir uma valoração dos custos validada e homogênea, principalmente para o uso dessa informação em avaliações econômicas de saúde. Conclusão: Essa recomendação tem o propósito de aumentar a acurácia das estimativas dos custos de saúde no nosso meio e homogeneizar a comunicação entre estudos conduzidos por diferentes grupos de pesquisa. Por fim, é esperado que a utilização dessas recomendações contribua para que as decisões baseadas em dados econômicos sejam mais acuradas e equânimes quando da incorporação de tecnologias no país.

Objective: In the context of health technology assessment (HTA), cost estimates are a critical factor in the development of economic evaluations, especially through the use of different costing methodologies. In order to contribute to the accuracy of the cost data used in these analyzes, this article suggests recommendations to develop health cost analysis in Brazil. Methods: HTA researchers with heterogeneous background and from different Brazilian research centers were engaged on the development of this health cost analysis recommendation over two years. Reviews of national and international literature and discussions on how to approach the theme were conducted. Three symposia were held bringing together the researchers with the purpose of reaching consensus among the authors on the best recommendations for micro-accounting studies. Results: This article was consolidated as a recommendation, which represents a compact version of the complete guideline that will be published by the Brazilian Health Technology Assessment Network (REBRATS). The Microcosting methodology is considered as a gold standard for the analysis of health costs. Methods to define the study, to perform data collection and analysis are described in order to allow a validated and homogeneous cost evaluation, mainly for the use of this information in economic health assessments. Conclusion: This recommendation is intended to increase the health cost estimated accuracy in our country and to homogenize the communication between studies conducted by different research groups. Finally, it is expected that the use of these recommendations will contribute to make decisions based on economic data more accurate and equitable when incorporating health technologies in the country.

This is a call to oncologists for action.

Cancer cases are growing in an exponential way, likewise the prices of new cancer drugs. Continuing in this way, in the near future, it will be impossible to provide optimum care for all cancer patients. Therefore, it is important to establish mechanisms that enable the National Health Systems to provide the best options of treatment, either through the elaboration of decision-binding frameworks or through other initiatives that guarantee the best quality care for all oncology patients to overcome, in the best possible way, this difficult illness. Here, we review current proposals that have been established by different cancer organizations worldwide, their similarities, their differences and whether they are helpful in a real clinical setting. Facing present reality and despite these organizations' huge efforts, these proposals are not being implemented at all and it does not seem feasible that they will in the short run. In the same way, we support and argue why oncologists should have a crucial and a preponderant role to establish the best way of guaranteeing an equal access to the latest oncology care.

Latin American Clinical Epidemiology Network Series - Paper 6: The influence of alcohol in traffic accidents and health care costs of it in Bogotá-Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: In Colombia, some studies have estimated medical costs associated to traffic accidents. It is required to assess results by city or region and determine the influence of variables such as alcohol consumption. The main objective of this study was to identify health care costs associated to traffic accidents in Bogota and determine whether alcohol consumption can increase them. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional costs study conducted in patients over 18 years treated in the emergency rooms of six different hospitals in Bogota, Colombia. RESULTS: The average total cost of medical care per patient was 628 USD, in Bogota-Colombia. The average cost per accident was estimated at 1,349 USD. On average, the total cost for health care for patients with positive blood alcohol level was 1.8 times higher than those who did not consume alcohol. The indirect costs were on average 115.3 USD per injured person. Numbers are expressed in 2011 U.S. dollars. CONCLUSION: Alcohol consumption increases the risk of traffic accidents and direct medical health costs.

Guía metodológica para determinar día cama mediante costeo ABC / Guide methodology for determining the day bed by ABC costing

La atención cerrada de salud es muy compleja por la gran variedad de procedimientos y actividades realizadas por las distintas unidades intervinientes, ya sea directa o indirectamente, en la atención de un problema de salud a un paciente hospitalizado, por lo que la cantidad de recursos utilizados es cada vez mayor y hay una creciente dificultad en determinar los costos involucrados en una atención de una patología en particular, por la variedad de costos indirectos incurridos que provienen de los diversos servicios que directa o indirectamente intervienen y, en definitiva, en su asignación al paciente, por lo que uno de los problemas más importantes a resolver de cualquier sistema de costos, es esta asignación, lo cual lleva a exponer una propuesta metodológica que permite identificar y distribuir los diferentes costos que se incurren por las distintas unidades en una atención de salud a partir de la identificación de los inductores de costo involucrados en un día cama de hospitalización. El principal resultado es que es posible incorporar la valorización del día cama y, por tanto reconocer los costos incurridos, lo que permite contar con un instrumento de medición de costos, que pueda ser homologable y aplicable a distintas unidades.

Care closed health is very complex because of the variety of procedures andactivities conducted by the various units involved, either directly or indirectly,in the care of a health problem to a hospitalized patient, so that the amount ofresources used It is increasing and there is increasing difficulty in determiningthe costs involved in care of a pathology in particular for the variety of incurredindirect costs arising from the various services directly or indirectly involvedand, ultimately, in their allocation patient, so one of the most important toresolve any system cost, is this allocation problems, which leads to expose amethodology for identifying and distributing the different costs incurred bythe different care units health from identifying inducers cost involved in a dayhospital bed. The main result is that it is possible to incorporate the valuationday bed and therefore recognize the costs incurred, which allows for a costmeasurement instrument that can be equivalent and applicable to differentunits.

[Telemetric monitoring reduces visits to the emergency room and cost of care in patients with chronic heart failure]. / El seguimiento telemétrico disminuye la visita a la sala de urgencias y coste de atención en enfermos con insuficiencia cardíaca crónica.

BACKGROUND: Tele-cardiology is the use of information technologies that help prolong survival, improve quality of life and reduce costs in health care. Heart failure is a chronic disease that leads to high care costs. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of telemetric monitoring for controlling clinical variables, reduced emergency room visits, and cost of care in a group of patients with heart failure compared to traditional medical consultation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized, controlled and open clinical trial was conducted on 40 patients with Heart failure in a tertiary care centre in north-western Mexico. The patients were divided randomly into 2 groups of 20 patients each (telemetric monitoring, traditional medical consultation). In each participant was evaluated for: blood pressure, heart rate and body weight. The telemetric monitoring group was monitored remotely and traditional medical consultation group came to the hospital on scheduled dates. All patients could come to the emergency room if necessary. RESULTS: The telemetric monitoring group decreased their weight and improved control of the disease (P=.01). Systolic blood pressure and cost of care decreased (51%) significantly compared traditional medical consultation group (P>.05). Admission to the emergency room was avoided in 100% of patients in the telemetric monitoring group. CONCLUSION: In patients with heart failure, the telemetric monitoring was effective in reducing emergency room visits and saved significant resources in care during follow-up.

What are the health costs of uranium mining? A case study of miners in Grants, New Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Uranium mining is associated with lung cancer and other health problems among miners. Health impacts are related with miner exposure to radon gas progeny. OBJECTIVES: This study estimates the health costs of excess lung cancer mortality among uranium miners in the largest uranium-producing district in the USA, centered in Grants, New Mexico. METHODS: Lung cancer mortality rates on miners were used to estimate excess mortality and years of life lost (YLL) among the miner population in Grants from 1955 to 2005. A cost analysis was performed to estimate direct (medical) and indirect (premature mortality) health costs. RESULTS: Total health costs ranged from $2·2 million to $7·7 million per excess death. This amounts to between $22·4 million and $165·8 million in annual health costs over the 1955-1990 mining period. Annual exposure-related lung cancer mortality was estimated at 2185·4 miners per 100 000, with a range of 1419·8-2974·3 per 100 000. CONCLUSIONS: Given renewed interest in uranium worldwide, results suggest a re-evaluation of radon exposure standards and inclusion of miner long-term health into mining planning decisions.

Hepatocarcinoma en niños: 15 años de experiencia del grupo oncológico pediátrico EsSalud Rebagliati–Almenara, Lima Perú / Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Children: 15 years’ experience EsSalud Pediatric Oncology Group Almenara - Rebagliati, Lima Peru

Objetivo: describir la epidemiologia, tratamiento, evolución y análisis de costos del Hepatocarcinoma infantil y su implicancia en la salud del niño. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, longitudinal, tipo serie de casos: Experiencia de 15 años en el tratamiento del Hepatocarcionoma infantil en pacientes de EsSALUD: hospitales Rebagliati-Almenara, del 1 de Enero de 1999 al 15 de Mayo del 2013. Se recolectaron datos demográficos, de laboratorio, im genes, patología, tratamiento, evolución y sobrevida. Se analizó también los costos. Resultados: De una data de 58 casos con tumor hepético maligno infantil, 20 casos (34.5%) fueron reportados como hepatocarcinoma. Siendo predominante en el sexo masculino (3/1) y de origen costeño. En todos los casos hubo hepatomegalia, vómitos y anemia. S¢lo 7 pacientes hab¡an recibido la vacuna de Hepatitis B. El gasto total para EsSalud fue de $132,265. Conclusiones: Este estudio aporta principalmente al manejo multidisciplinario de esta neoplasia, donde la quimioterapia si produce respuesta tumoral en la mayor¡a de casos donde el estado avanzado del tumor limita ser operados al debut y la terapia antiangiogónica prolonga la sobrevida evitando las recaídas. Un tercio de la población estudiada pudo haber evitado el cáncer al hígado si el paciente hubiese sido inmunizado con la vacuna anti Hepatitis B al nacer y completado a los seis meses sus tres dosis.

Objectives: to describe the epidemiology, treatment, evolution and cost analysis of child Hepatocarcinoma and its implication on their health. Material and Methods: descriptive, retrospective, longitudinal, case series study: 15-year experience in treating children with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Children in EsSALUD in: hospitals Almenara and Rebagliati, from January 1, 1999 to May 15, 2013. Demographic, laboratory, imaging, pathology, treatment, evolution and survival data were collected and costs were analyzed Results: from a data of 58 cases with infantile malignant liver tumor, 20 cases (34.5 %) were reported as Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Children. Being predominant in males (3/1) and of coastal origin. In all cases there was hepatomegaly, vomiting and anemia. Only 7 patients had received the Hepatitis B vaccine. The total expenditure for EsSalud was $ 132.265. Conclusion: This study provides mainly the multidisciplinary management of this neoplasm, where chemotherapy response occurs in most cases where the advanced stage of the tumor limits surgical possibilities at debut and antiangiogenic therapy prolongs survival avoiding relapse. One third of the study population could have avoided liver cancer if the patient had been immunized with the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth and completed three doses at six months.

Avaliação econômica dos custos da poluição em Cubatão - SP com base nos gastos com saúde relacionados às doenças dos aparelhos respiratório e circulatório / Economic cost of air pollution in Cubatão - SP based on health expenses related to diseases of the respiratory and circulatory systems

O objetivo básico do trabalho foi avaliar os custos econômicos relacionados às doenças dos aparelhos respiratório e circulatório no município de Cubatão (SP). Para tanto, foram utilizados dados de internação e dias de trabalho perdidos com a internação (na faixa dos 14 aos 70 anos de idade), na base de dados do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Resultados: A partir dos dados levantados, calculou-se o valor total de R$ 22,1 milhões gastos no período de 2000 a 2009 devido às doenças dos aparelhos circulatório e respiratório. Parte desses gastos pode estar diretamente relacionada à emissão de poluentes atmosféricos no município. Para se estimar os custos da poluição foram levantados dados de outros dois municípios da Região da Baixada Santista (Guarujá e Peruíbe), com menor atividade industrial em comparação a Cubatão. Verificou-se que, em ambos, as médias de gastos per capita em relação às duas doenças são menores do que em Cubatão, mas que essa diferença vem diminuindo sensivelmente nos últimos anos.

Lean diesel technology and human health: a case study in six Brazilian metropolitan regions

OBJECTIVE: Due to their toxicity, diesel emissions have been submitted to progressively more restrictive regulations in developed countries. However, in Brazil, the implementation of the Cleaner Diesel Technologies policy (Euro IV standards for vehicles produced in 2009 and low-sulfur diesel with 50 ppm of sulfur) was postponed until 2012 without a comprehensive analysis of the effect of this delay on public health parameters. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the delay in implementing the Cleaner Diesel Technologies policy on health indicators and monetary health costs in Brazil. METHODS: The primary estimator of exposure to air pollution was the concentration of ambient fine particulate matter (particles with aerodynamic diameters <2.5 μm, [PM2.5]). This parameter was measured daily in six Brazilian metropolitan areas during 2007-2008. We calculated 1) the projected reduction in the PM2.5 that would have been achieved if the Euro IV standards had been implemented in 2009 and 2) the expected reduction after implementation in 2012. The difference between these two time curves was transformed into health outcomes using previous dose-response curves. The economic valuation was performed based on the DALY (disability-adjusted life years) method. RESULTS: The delay in implementing the Cleaner Diesel Technologies policy will result in an estimated excess of 13,984 deaths up to 2040. Health expenditures are projected to be increased by nearly US$ 11.5 billion for the same period. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that a significant health burden will occur because of the postponement in implementing the Cleaner Diesel Technologies policy. These results also reinforce the concept that health effects must be considered when revising fuel and emission policies.

Costos de los servicios de salud tutelados y del proceso legal de las tutelas en Medellín, 2009 / Costs of Denied Health Care Services and of the Lawsuits Filed to Obtain Them in Medellín, 2009

OBJETIVO: reconstruir la ruta jurídica de la tutela en salud y determinar los costos de este proceso y de los servicios de salud invocados en una muestra de tutelas de la ciudad de Medellín. METODOLOGIA: estudio descriptivo con enfoque cualitativo para la reconstrucción de la ruta jurídica y una orientación cuantitativa para la estimación de los costos; se utilizaron tarifas de Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito a precios de 2009 para la valoración de los servicios; para el costeo de los recuros del proceso jurídico se utilizó la perspectiva del micro-costeo incorporada en la metodología de costos Basados en Actividades y su valoración a precios de mercado de 2009. RESULTADOS: por cada $100 correspondiente al costo de los servicios negados por las entidades promotoras de salud, el sistema judicial de Medellín gastó $48 en el trámite de cada tutela. En más del 50% de los casos el costo de la acción jurídica resultó ser superior al costo de los servicios. DISCUSION: el costo del proceso jurídico de las tutelas en salud presentadas en el país en el período 1999-2009 podría estar representando el 2% de los dineros que circulan en todo el sistema de salud. Este costo constituye sólo parte de los costos de transacción que se derivan del incumplimiento de las EPS de un contrato social contemplado en la constitución política y en la mayoría de los casos del incumplimiento del contrato privado que ellas han sucrito con los usuarios afiliados al sistema de salud.

OBJECTIVE: to retrace the legal route of writs for the protection of constitutional rights involving health care services and to determine the cost of such processes and those of the health care services invoked in a sample of such writs taken in Medellín city. METHODOLOGY: a descriptive study with a qualitative focus for retracing the legal route of the writs, and a quantitative approach for the purpose of cost estimation. The 2009 SOAT (Mandatory Car Insurance) fees were used for assessing the cost of the health care services. As for the assessment of the legal costs, we used the micro-costing approach together with the activity-based costing methodology. RESULTS: for each $100 corresponding to the cost of the services denied by the health care services provider, the Medellín judicial system spent around $48 on each legal process. In more than half of the cases, the cost of the legal action was higher than the services' cost. DISCUSSION: the cost of the legal process involving the writs for the protection of constitutional rights regarding health care services that were filed in the country between 1999 and 2009 could represent 2% of the budget circulating throughout the entire health system. This cost is just a part of the transaction costs generated by the health care services providers' breach of the social contract established by the Colombian Constitution. Furthermore, in most cases there is also a breach of the private contract between these service providers and the health system users.