Abstract

DIAZ NOVAS, José; CALLES CALVINO, Adela; ROLDAN DE LA PAZ, Ivette  and  CHEA OCHOA, Daniel. Emergencies in primary health care: use of complementary tests and drugs. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.3. ISSN 0864-2125.

INTRODUCTION: the emergency services require tests and drugs that support their resolving capacity and that be used with efficiency. OBJECTIVES: to identify the use of complementary tests and drugs, their costs and their connection with the morbidity observed. METHODS: an observational descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study on the use of complementary tests, drugs and their costs was conducted at the emergency service of "Raúl Gómez García" Polyclinic-Hospital from January to March, 2007. The utilization of complementary tests and drugs was correlated with the morbidity observed. RESULTS: the checking of arterial pressure, the acute respiratory infections and the acute crises of bronchial asthma were the most frequent causes for visiting the physician's office. One out of 21.3 attended patients was observed. 19.7 % of the patients required complementary tests. The clinical lab was the most used diagnostic tool. Salbutamol aerosol, dypirone and aminophyline were the most used drugs. The indication of tests and drugs was generally justified by the health problems attended. X-rays, electrocardiograms and hydocortisone, among drugs, produced the greatest costs. CONCLUSIONS: the morbidity observed agreed with what was expected for a primary emergency service and justified, in most of the cases, the tests and drugs used. The rational application of the clinical method may improve the utilization of resources and the costs.

Keywords : Primary health care; emergencies; complementary tests; drugs; costs.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )