OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at carrying out a situational diagnosis of the prehospital healthcare network for victims of accidents and violence in Recife, Brazil. METHODS: National policy for reducing accident- and violence-related morbidity and mortality was used as reference. Questionnaires were applied and half-structured interviews conducted with managers and healthworkers from thirteen prehospital fixed units and one mobile unit. RESULTS: Children, adolescents and females predominantly sought attention; there were few preventative actions, little social coverage and deficient referral, counterreferral and communication with other sectors. A lack of equipment and basic materials, insufficient multidisciplinary teams and the need for ongoing training were also observed. Notifying and recording accidents and violence also lacked precision; ensuring that these were done properly would allow track to be kept of them as well as developing a proper assessment and action plan. However, important state, city and academic initiatives towards preventing and reducing morbidity and mortality caused by accidents and violence in particular municipalities were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Taking national policy for reducing accident- and violence-related morbidity and mortality as a point of reference, then it can be seen that some advances have been made in the city of Recife; however, many shortcomings can still be seen in terms of introducing such policy.
OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at carrying out a situational diagnosis of the prehospital healthcare network for victims of accidents and violence in Recife, Brazil. METHODS: National policy for reducing accident- and violence-related morbidity and mortality was used as reference. Questionnaires were applied and half-structured interviews conducted with managers and healthworkers from thirteen prehospital fixed units and one mobile unit. RESULTS:Children, adolescents and females predominantly sought attention; there were few preventative actions, little social coverage and deficient referral, counterreferral and communication with other sectors. A lack of equipment and basic materials, insufficient multidisciplinary teams and the need for ongoing training were also observed. Notifying and recording accidents and violence also lacked precision; ensuring that these were done properly would allow track to be kept of them as well as developing a proper assessment and action plan. However, important state, city and academic initiatives towards preventing and reducing morbidity and mortality caused by accidents and violence in particular municipalities were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Taking national policy for reducing accident- and violence-related morbidity and mortality as a point of reference, then it can be seen that some advances have been made in the city of Recife; however, many shortcomings can still be seen in terms of introducing such policy.
Authors: Paul Truche; Rachel E NeMoyer; Sara Patiño-Franco; Juan P Herrera-Escobar; Myerlandi Torres; Luis F Pino; Gregory L Peck Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-11-06 Impact factor: 3.240