Objective To investigate the inpatient disease constitution of Jili Community Health Service Center (JCHSC) in Liuyang City of Hunan Province from 2008 to 2010, so as to learn about the local burden of diseases and to provide baseline data for further study. Methods Both questionnaire and focus interviews were applied to collect inpatients’ records in JCHSC between 2008 and 2010. Based on the primary diagnosis on hospital discharge record, the diseases were standardized and classified according to the International Classification of Disease, 10th Edition (ICD-10). Data including general information of the inpatients and discharge diagnosis were rearranged and analyzed by using Microsoft Excel 2003 and SPSS 13.0 software. Results a) The total numbers of inpatients were 4 804, 6 011 and 6 552 in 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and males were less than famales (37.89% vs. 62.11%, 37.68% vs. 62.32%, 41.09% vs. 58.91%); b)The disease spectrum included 19 to 21 categories, accounting for 90.5% to 100% of ICD-10; c) The top 5 systematic diseases accounted for 78.91%-83.61%, including circulate, digestive, pregnancy, parturition and puerperium, genitourinary, and respiratory system diseases; d) The top 15 single diseases were coronary heart disease, urinary calculi, cholecyslithiasis or accompanied with cholecystitis, chronic gastritis, hypertension, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary infection and inguinal hernia; and e) In these 3 years, most of the inpatients suffered from chronic diseases rather than acute diseases, mostly over 35 years old; while the acute diseases were commonly seen in patients younger than 15 years old. Conclusion a) In recent 3 years, the major inpatient systematic diseases are circulate, digestive, pregnancy, parturition and puerperium, genitourinary, and respiratory system diseases. The chronic diseases are more than the acute, and mainly focus on coronary heart disease, urinary calculi and chronic bronchitis; b) Nine common inpatient disease spectrum of the top 15 single diseases keep same in recent 3 years; and c) Further attention should be paid to the chronic patients over 35 years old and the acute patients less than 15 years old.
Objective To investigate the spectrum of diseases and the current situation of antibiotic use in rural hospitals and community health service centers in Chengdu, so as to provide evidence for selecting essential medicines and promoting rational use of antibiotics. Method We selected 7 township/community health institutions, from which we collected inpatient and outpatient information. Information about antibiotic use was also collected, including categories, cost, and dosage. A standard questionnaire was used to investigate physicians’ prescription behavior for principal diseases. Result Urban and rural areas had different spectrums of diseases. The major diseases in urban areas included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and respiratory tract infection; while those in rural areas were infectious diseases of the respiratory system, digestive system, and urinary system. The physicians’ prescription behavior was mainly based on their personal experience. Antibiotics accounted for 30-50% of the total medicine cost. The top four types of antibiotics with the highest cost were cephalosporins, penicillin, quinolones, and macrolides. Conclusion Based on the different spectrums of diseases, essential drug lists and standard treatment guidelines appropriate for rural health care should be developed to improve the rational use of drugs. Factors such as the average cost of daily dose and the course of treatment should be taken into consideration to reduce the overall cost of medicine. An antimicrobial resistance monitoring system and special training courses on rational use of antibiotics should be utilized in the rural health institutions.
Objective To investigate the rebuilding status of community health service (CHS) system after Wenchuan earthquake in Mianzhu, improve service ability and provide data for better reconstruction of CHS system after natural disaster. Methods The interview was conducted with local health system officials, and self-designed questionnaire for face-to-face interview was distributed to 508 community residents in Mianzhu who were selected by convenience sampling. Data entry and statistical analysis were completed using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and SPSS 16.0 respectively. Results A total of 508 questionnaires were distributed, and then 486 questionnaires were retrieved effectively (response rate 95.7%). The analysis on 486 respondents in CHS after rebuilding showed the rate of respondents with health files rose from 20.1% to 43.8%, the rate of having regular health check-up rose from 7.4% to 46.7%, the rate of health education rose from 20.1% to 39.7%, the rate of chronic disease monitoring rose from 0.9% to 35.4%, the rate of knowing referral pattern rose from 15.7% to 51.2%, the rate of propaganda for disaster relief rose from 33.6% to 58.6%, and the rate of doing disaster emergency response exercise was 21.8% currently. 62.3% of residents chose CHS on the first visit. The satisfactory degree to CHS rose from 45.4% to 76.1% after earthquake. Both popularization of regular health check-up and propaganda for disaster relief were major factors with influence on residents’ satisfaction to CHS (Plt;0.001, P=0.010, respectively). Conclusion The residents’ satisfactory degree to the rebuilding status of CHS system is encouraging. It is necessary to strengthen the popularization of regular health check-up and propaganda for disaster relief in order to improve the quality of community health service.
Object To investigate the constitution and expense of inpatient diseases in Jili Community Health Service Center (JCHSC) in Liuyang City of Hunan Province from 2008 to 2010, so as to provide baseline data for further study. Methods The questionnaire was applied and inpatient records in JCHSC between 2008 and 2010 were collected. The diseases were classified and standardized according to the International Classification of Disease, 10th Edition (ICD-10) based on the first diagnosis extracted from discharge records. Such information as general condition, discharge diagnosis and medical expenses etc. were analyzed by using statistic software of Microsoft Excel 2003 and SPSS 13.0. Results a) There were 9 chronic diseases and 6 acute ones among the top 15 single diseases, and both the average hospital stay and per-average hospitalization expense of chronic diseases were higher than those of acute ones (7.8 days vs. 5.6 days; ?2 733 vs. ?1551); b) Per-average expense of drugs as for both acute and chronic diseases accounted for nearly 50% of the total/general expense; c) There were 3 types of treatment models in JCHSC. Model A was only the internal medicine therapy, Model B was internal medicine assisted with surgery, and Model C was surgery assisted with internal medicine therapy; d) In detail, the total per-average expenses in JCHSC between 2008 to 2010 as for each single disease were as follows: coronary heart diseases (CHD, ?2 374 to ?2 680), urinary calculi (?3 268 to ?3 337), chronic bronchitis (?2 452 to ?2 488); e) Per-average hospitalization expenses in internal departments were ?1 719 to ?1 942 for acute diseases and ?2 386 and ?2 523 for chronic ones. Among surgical departments, the per-average hospitalization expenses as for acute diseases and chronic diseases were ?1 438 to ?1 579 and ?3 044 to ?3 607, respectively; and f) The average hospital stay for acute diseases in internal departments were 5.5 to 5.8 days for acute diseases and 6.9 to 7.3 days for chronic ones. By contrast, those in surgical departments were 5.9 to 6.2 days for acute diseases and 8.3 days for chronic ones, respectively. Conclusion a) In JCHSC, a total of 7 inpatient diseases among the top 15 single diseases in 2010 are all chronic with per-average total expense over ?2 000, which is higher than the average level of national CHSC (?2 357.6); b) According to the features of expense constitution models of the inpatient single diseases, the hospitalization expense should be controlled specifically; c) There are 3 kinds of diseases with yearly-increasing per-average total expenses as CHD, hypertension and pulmonary infection during recent 3 years; meanwhile, 4 diseases are with yearly-decreasing per-average total expenses as chronic bronchitis, cholecystolithias or accompanied with cholecystitis, diabetes and inguinal hernia; d) The per-average expenses of chronic diseases in surgical departments are higher than those in internal departments, but those of the acute diseases in surgical departments are lower. Meanwhile, the per-average total expenses as for both chronic and acute diseases in surgical departments present a decline trend year by year. Although the per-average expense on drugs as for both acute and chronic diseases in internal departments show a decline trend, the per-average total expenses indicate an ascending trend; and f) The average hospital stay of chronic diseases is longer than acute ones, while that of the surgical diseases is also longer than internal ones.
Objective To investigate the construction and services of the community health service system in Shifang, as well as the satisfaction of community residents with the community health services and the post-disaster emergency response capability of the community hospital, so as to provide decision-making suggestions on better reconstruction of the community health service system and improvement of its post-disaster emergency response capability. Methods There were 4‰ of community residents in Fangting town were selected by convenience sampling for a face-to-face interview using a questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to identify the influencing factors of residents’ satisfaction with community health services. Results A total of 250 questionnaires were conducted for face-to-face interviews, and 246 ones were retrieved (response rate 98.4%). Residents’ understanding and satisfactory degree of the community health service were 41.1% and 36.6%, respectively. Health education, medical expenses and medical insurance were the main factors influencing the residents’ satisfactory degree of community health services (P=0.050, 0.001, and 0.001). The proportions of disaster / disaster prevention education, exercises of post-disaster contingency plans, and psychological intervention as well as rehabilitation for residents were 37.4%, 10.6%, and 12.6%, respectively. Conclusion Community health services have not been widely accepted by community residents, and the satisfactory degree is low. The residents’ understanding and adaptation can be improved by strengthening the community health service propaganda. Strengthening health education, improving the quality of services, controlling costs, and introducing medical insurance reimbursement mechanism can increase the residents’ satisfactory degree. Including disaster emergencies into basic tasks can strengthen the emergency response capability and then provide guarantee for the residents’ health.
Objective To provide evidence for the establishment of an essential medicines list, we investigated the institutional medicine supply in rural hospitals and community health service centers in Chengdu. Methods The trained investigators collected medicine sales records and information about the management of institutional pharmacies. Through in-depth interviews with the pharmaceutical personnel, we inquired into the drug supervision and supply networks in rural areas. Then we performed secondary research based on a comparative analysis of drug classification, administration and pharmacies in developed countries. Results Seven township hospitals/community health service centers had pharmacies, facilities, storage, and a clean environment. Three of them used electrical databases to manage medicine sales records. Five township hospitals and 5 village medical rooms purchased medicines from the drug supervision and supply networks every week. In this way, they ensured the quality and accessibility of drugs in rural areas. In the urban community health service centers, medicines were supplied based on the traditional commercial distribution system. Conclusion Rational allocation of health resources to set up institutional pharmacies and village medicine rooms is important. The supervision of village medical rooms must be stricter. We should expand the use of electrical databases and integrate the supervision and supply networks with the supply system of the essential medicines.
Objective To provide baseline data for the Special Healthcare Program of Comprehensive Reform for Coordinated and Balanced Urban-rural Development in Chengdu. Methods We selected 7 township/community health institutions and 6 village health posts /street clinics using stratified sampling to take account of the levels of economic development and the distance from the centre of Chengdu We then performed on-site surveys and secondary research. Data were analyzed by using Epidata or Excel. Results The utilization of health institutions was generally good. The number of visits and number of inpatients in medical institutions increased steadily. The utilization rate of hospital beds and doctors’ workload were higher than the national average. The average medical expense per outpatient /inpatient was far lower than the national level. The overall condition of the health institutions that close to the centre of Chengdu was better. Conclusion We should persist in taking advantage of the rural hospitals’ construction to improve village health posts /street clinics and strengthen the national and governmental compensating mechanism for township /community health organizations (village health posts /street clinics), so as to make the basic condition of current township/ community health organizations (village health posts /street clinics) better.
Objective To investigate human resource allocation in primary health care and the essential medical service and publ ic health service status in urban and rural areas in Chengdu, so as to provide basel ine data for the Special Healthcare Program of Comprehensive Reform for Coordinated and Balanced Urban-Rural Development in Chengdu. Methods We carried out a stratified (three circles in Chengdu) sampl ing of 7 township hospitals (rural hospitals) and community health service centers; and then performed secondary research based on a comparative analysis of relevant pol icies of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Chinese governments at all levels. Results According to the WHO and national average standards, the number of staff per 1 000 rural hospitals / centers health personnel of the 7 rural hospitals / centers occupied only 1%-22% of the global average standard. There was a very large gap between the number of staff and the number of personnel required, based on the size of the population that should be served in the administrative areas in 2006 or the number of cl inic patients in 2006. The primary healthcare personnel structure was irrational. For example, the constituent ratio of health technical personnel was 4% to 33% higher than the global average level, and the constituent ratio of (assistant) physicians was also 17% to 45% higher than the global average level. However, the ratio of nurses, laboratory workers, other health professionals, administrative and supporting personnel was generally lower than the global average level. Women dominated among the primary healthcare personnel, and people aged 45 years or below counted for more than 75% (except Bailu and Wangjiang rural hospitals/centers). People with an educational background of two-year college education or secondary education or below took up 70% to 90%; while those with an intermediate title or assistant /primary title accounted for 50% to 100%. The structure rational ity of distribution density, educational background and academic titles of healthcare personnel showed a decreasing trend from the first circle to the third circle in Chengdu city. Conclusion The primary health workers in the second and third circle have been overloaded with low incomes for some time. They are facing enormous challenges in their professional skills, service awareness, as well as difficulties in continuing education and professional title promotion. It is very difficult to provide qual ified "six in one" primary health care and publ ic health services in a long-term and stable manner. It is suggested that we enroll and train more skilled people for primary health care service, and provide continuing education chances for current health care personnel. We should also adopt a mechanism to select qual ified personnel based on their performance, and take measures to solve some of the problems faced by the grass-root health personnel, such as heavy work burden, low income, poor skill and promotion. This will help us to construct a stable and qual ified primary healthcare team.
Objective The Chengdu initiative essential medicine policy is part of the Special Healthcare Program of Comprehensive Reform for Coordinated and Balanced Urban-rural Development. We aimed to investigate the current situation of medicine use in rural hospitals and community health service centers, so as to provide evidence for policy-makers to select essential medicines and facilitate rational use of medicines. Method We selected 7 township/community health institutions from which to collect medicine use information, including medicine category, number of medicine categories, cost and consumption. Descriptive analysis and the ABC classification method were applied for statistical analysis. Results The number of medicine categories used in the community health institutions was four times greater than that in the township health institutions. Traditional Chinese medicine preparations accounted for 40% of the total medicine cost. Polypharmacy, overuse of injections, and improper use of antibiotics were major manifestations of the irrational use of medicines. Conclusion The selection and use of essential medicines should be base on high quality evidence as well disease burden, the economic situation and specific demands in different areas. Drug and therapeutics committees should be set up to perform dynamic monitoring, education, evaluation and continual improvement of an essential medicines list.
Objective To understand the current situation of Chengdu primary health workers’ performance baseline, and to provide decision-making proof and policy recommendations for Chengdu Coordinated and Balanced Urban-rural Development as well as improve primary health workers’ performance in China. Method See the second study in this series. Result The number of the patients of the Chengdu seven Rural Hospitals / Centers showed a trend of slow increase, and all was higher than the national rural hospital average level except the 2 most remote rural hospitals(“Renhe” and “Bailu”). The seven Rural Hospitals / Centers could provide data about the “Six in One” work, and the performance was generally better than that of the world and the national average level , but showed a decreasing trend from the first circle to the third circle in Chengdu. The rate of patients’ satisfaction and very satisfaction for the Rural Hospitals / Centers “Six in One” work reached 65%-80%, but the rate of health workers’ job satisfaction and very satisfaction only reached 9%-46%, and also showed a decreasing trend from the first circle to the third circle. Conclusion The Chengdu primary health workers provide “Six in One” health service with a higher quality than the world and the national average levels. However, the number of the workers is less than enough; the human managerial structure is irrational; the educational and professional levels are low; their treatment and the work environment are poor. The distribution density , the academic qualification and the structure rationality of professional ranks of health personnel show a decreasing trend, and the difficulty of the service is gradually increasing from the first circle to the third circle, which causes the satisfaction rate of the workers’ job to decrease gradually from the first circle to the third circle. Suggestion: ① To make special performance assessment standard for special health institutions or personnel, and to give the continual oriented training chance for current health personnel. ② To integrate the regional health resources; to establish long-term and stable regional bilateral appointment help policy, technical and rational two-way referral system and indicator systems. ③ To take measures to solve the problems affecting the professional promotion and improvement of the grass-root health personnel.