[Some observations on high specialty medical care in Mexico]. / Algunas observaciones acerca de la atención médica de alta especialidad en México.

OBJECTIVES: To put forth the concept of highly specialized medical care, in agreement with the nature of its practice, and evaluate the feasibility of creating a support service network. METHODS: Qualitative study of the current practice and requirements for 39 selected medical specialties, using the technique of focused groups of experts in each specialty. In accordance with the "Grounded Theory", variables were systematized and categorized and then compared in order to identify relationships between categories and link them to consensus testimonial references. On the basis of the characteristics of each kind of practice, one key expert integrated and validated service portfolios. RESULTS: We developed an integrated a concept for highly specialize medical care with 39 operational catalogs of those diagnoses that belong to each specialty, along with catalogs of the resources required by each specialty. CONCLUSIONS: Highly specialized care is a desirable model for clinical practice, but does not constitute a different level of care. Currently, medical practice is constrained by the lack of well-defined boundaries and scarcity of resources in order to be conceptualized as high specialty. It is therefore more convenient to strengthen the concept of third level of care in order to identify opportunities for the establishment of high specialty areas that will in turn serve as the focal points for medical innovation.

[An evaluation of the characteristics, processes and outcomes of hemodialysis units in Mexico]. / Las unidades de hemodiálisis en México: una evaluación de sus características, procesos y resultados.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics, processes, outcomes and structure of a sample of hemodialysis units (HU) in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 83 public and private HU from the 32 states in Mexico. The HU were stratified, according to a score, in five categories: very good, good, regular, poor and very poor. RESULTS: 48% of the HU were classified as poor and very poor, and they granted medical attention to 58% of the patients. The average number of sessions per patient in the last six months assessed was 1.2 per week. 46.5% of the sessions with determination of Kt/V reported values inferior to the recommended value (Kt/ V≥1.2). 75% of the units scored less than 70% in infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the HU did not fulfill the process and result criteria defined by the Consejo de Salubridad de la Secretaría de Salud.

Las unidades de hemodiálisis en México: una evaluación de sus características, procesos y resultados / An evaluation of the characteristics, processes and outcomes of hemodialysis units in Mexico

OBJETIVO. Evaluar las características, procesos y resultados, así como, la estructura de una muestra de unidades de hemodiálisis (UH) en México. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal en 83 UH públicas y privadas del país. Las UH fueron estratificadas, de acuerdo con el puntaje obtenido, en cinco categorías: muy buena, buena, regular, mala y muy mala. Resultados. El 48 por ciento de las UH se clasificaron en las categorías mala y muy mala y atendieron 58 por ciento de los pacientes. El promedio de sesiones/paciente en los seis meses evaluados fue de 1.2 por semana. El 46.5 por ciento de las sesiones con determinación de Kt/V reportaron valores inferiores al valor recomendado (Kt/V≥1.2). En infraestructura, tres cuartas partes de las unidades obtuvieron puntajes menores a 70 por ciento. Conclusiones. La mitad de las unidades de hemodiálisis no cumplieron los criterios de proceso y resultado establecidos por el Consejo de Salubridad de la Secretaría de Salud.

OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the characteristics, processes, outcomes and structure of a sample of hemodialysis units (HU) in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Cross-sectional study in 83 public and private HU from the 32 states in Mexico. The HU were stratified, according to a score, in five categories: very good, good, regular, poor and very poor. RESULTS. 48 percent of the HU were classified as poor and very poor, and they granted medical attention to 58 percent of the patients. The average number of sessions per patient in the last six months assessed was 1.2 per week. 46.5 percent of the sessions with determination of Kt/V reported values inferior to the recommended value (Kt/ V≥1.2). 75 percent of the units scored less than 70 percent in infrastructure. CONCLUSIONS. Half of the HU did not fulfill the process and result criteria defined by the Consejo de Salubridad de la Secretaría de Salud.