Programa de apoyo a la atención primaria. Hospital Roberto del Río

Abstract

Since 1997, in the context of the local and national health policies, Roberto del Río Children’s Hospital has being conducting an “Primary Care Support Program” (PCSP), which is aimed at: a) improving the integration of the local health care network, with the primary care level (PC) considered as an strategic component. b) Improving the relationship between the different levels of the network by means of expeditious, helpful and respectful communications. c) Improving resolution capacity at the PC level by means of appropriate, continuous education activities. Specific activities implemented to satisfy these aims are: 1) Annual program of clinical rounds, scheduled every two weeks, either at the hospital or the ambulatory health centers. 2) Rotations (5-60 days long) of PC physicians at the speciality clinics where the patients from the primary level are referred. 3) A “via fax” consultation system on clinical or epidemiologic issues, wherein specific questions from PC professionals are answered by appropriate hospital specialists within 1 to 24 hrs. 4) Bibliographic support to the PC, including periodic delivery of recently published articles relevant to ambulatory care, and creation of a Primary Care Literature section at the Hospital library. 5) On site support on Acute Respiratory Infections, with specialists visiting each ambulatory health centers every two weeks. Comments: The PCSP has significantly enhanced the integration, resolution capacity and balanced development of the local health care network, which results in a better quality the health care delivered to the local population.