Analysis of the referral system to the public endodontics service in a city within the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: Health services evaluation uses both general service monitoring indicators and evaluation research, with the aims of studying service performance and its enhancement through problem solving. This study aimed at analyzing the referral system between primary health care and the secondary level care in endodontics of the Dental Specialties Center in the city of Contagem, Minas Gerais, to seek enhancement of the existing referral protocol. Methods: Secondary data were collected from the municipal data systems as well as from services files, regarding all patients who were attended between 2009 and 2014. Results: Mean time between first appointment and treatment conclusion was 3.12 months. There was higher frequency of individuals from the administrative regions of cities with higher populations and more availability of primary health care units. Similar proportions of single and non-single rooted teeth were treated. High proportions of teeth reached the endodontics service of Dental Specialties Center without possible treatment. Conclusion: Data were generated to provide renovation of the service referral protocol.

摘要
目标：卫生服务评估结合通用服务监测指标与评估研究两类路径，旨在探究服务绩效，并通过问题解决实现服务效能提升。本研究以巴西米纳斯吉拉斯州孔塔根市牙科专科中心的牙髓病科（endodontics）为研究对象，分析初级卫生保健（primary health care）与二级诊疗机构（secondary level care）间的转诊体系，以期优化现有转诊规程。
方法：本研究采集2009年至2014年间所有就诊患者的二手数据，数据来源涵盖市政数据系统与诊疗档案。
结果：首次就诊至治疗终结的平均时长为3.12个月。就诊人群中，来自人口规模更大、基层医疗卫生机构配置更充足的城市行政区的患者占比更高。接受治疗的单根牙与非单根牙占比相近。大量就诊牙齿在抵达牙科专科中心牙髓病科时已无治疗可能。
结论：本研究生成的数据可为转诊服务规程的更新完善提供科学依据。