Background: Patient experience is a crucial measure of patient-centeredness and quality care delivery. Digital health may contribute to patient experience by offering tailored and accessible avenues of care. Purpose: I explored how access to digital health, including telehealth, electronic health records, and online booking, may be associated with improved primary care experience for Ontario adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included Ontario adults (16 years or older) who responded to waves 27 to 29 of the Health Care Experience Survey (HCES) between May 2019 and February 2020. Adults who did not see their primary care provider within the past 12 months or did not have a primary care provider were excluded. Outcomes included a summed patient experience score derived from five HCES experience-related questions and time to appointment for a health concern. Associations between outcomes and digital health interventions were tested through chi-square tests and logistic regression while adjusting for confounders and stratifying by health care utilization. Results: 3,700 participants met the inclusion criteria, where 2204 remotely communicated with their primary care provider (59.6%), 98 digitally accessed health records (2.6%), and 120 booked an appointment online (3.2%). We observed no significant associations between digital health tools and patient experience or time to appointments through chi-square tests. Participants with over three primary care visits in the past year who accessed online booking were 84% less likely to report poorer experience scores than participants without online booking access [Adjusted OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.02 – 0.56, p < 0.05]. Participants with three or fewer primary care encounters who accessed online booking, compared to the same reference group, were 72% less likely to report having a same or next day appointment with their primary care provider [Adjusted OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08 – 0.64, p < 0.01]. Significant associations were observed between other sociodemographic factors and patient experience and access to care outcomes. Interpretation: The associations between digital health access and patient experience and access to care were inconsistent across different analyses. Despite experimental studies observing the benefits of digital health adoption in primary care, the effect is unclear in the real-world context. Furthermore, drawing conclusions on the relationship between digital health and quality care outcomes was limited due to the lack of adoption of digital health before the COVID-19 pandemic. As digital health adoption grows, future research should utilize the availability of further data to evaluate the effectiveness of digital health in Ontario primary care. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Patient outcomes such as experience and timeliness of care are frequently viewed as aims of quality health care. Although past studies indicate digital health supports quality care, the real-world effectiveness of digital health is underexplored in Ontario. This thesis aimed to explore relationships between real-world use of digital health in Ontario and primary care experience and access using survey data. This study found very few survey respondents used digital health before the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary care experience and access to care of adults who did use digital health did not differ very much from adults who did not use the technology. Some outcomes differed in adults who booked their primary care appointment online compared to those who did not; however, the study could not conclude on the relationship. Other personal factors such as age and residence area impacted the quality of primary care. This study was limited due to the lack of digital health users. Future studies should explore digital health's impact on patient outcomes beyond the pandemic.

This study explored and described the impact of the rights and obligations of nurses on the delivery of quality patient care in a clinical setting. Quantitative research approach was utilised. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The research results revealed that respondents who participated in this study were aware of their rights and obligations, the effects and impact of factors influencing such rights and obligations on patient care. It was established that “patient abandonment” observed when nurses embark on a strike as their constitutionally enshrined right is not due to a lack of insight about their rights and obligations, but on how such rights and obligations are implemented. The researcher recommends that further research be undertaken to explore the causes of nurses embarking on strike actions despite their high level of knowledge concerning the impact of such actions on patient care in a clinical setting / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

In this study the focus is on Batho Pele (a Sotho translation for 'people first'), an initiative to get people that work in the public services to be service orientated and to strive for excellence towards continuous service delivery improvement (SA, 2004a:8). Batho Pele consist of a framework with two primary functions that apply to this study; service delivery to people as the customers (patients in this study) and the possibility to hold individual public servants (health care personnel in this study) accountable for poor service delivery. This, in fact, implies that poor performance lead to poor service delivery; thus, compliance with the Batho Pele principles plays a pivotal role to improve quality health care service delivery. The purpose of the study was to make recommendations to enhance the current compliance with the Batho Pele principles in a Primary Health Care (PHC) context that would positively improve quality care and patient satisfaction. A non–experimental, quantitative, descriptive study was undertaken within the philosophical framework of the Batho Pele principles as well as the Patients‘ Right Charter. All participants completed a structured questionnaire to determine the level of compliance with the Batho Pele principles as experienced by the patients and viewed by the health care personnel in a PHC context. The data collected, was analysed using descriptive statistics. Four PHC clinics were involved, situated at Umzinyathi District Health in the Kwazulu Natal (KZN) Province of South Africa. The study included two patient–population samples, based on convenience; the participants that visited the clinics (n=132) and the participants visited by the researcher at home (n=101). Fifty– six (n=56) health care personnel who voluntary agreed to participate in the study were an all–inclusive sample. The findings revealed that the patients in the study felt more secure to answer the questions on their experiences regarding compliances with the Batho Pele principles at home and this could be an important consideration when conducting patient satisfaction surveys. It was also clear that patients were more dissatisfied than health care personnel in most questions asked regarding their experience on the compliance with the Batho Pele principles in a PHC context. Recommendations were made in the light of what was contained in the study that can serve as a starting point to address identified shortcomings in nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

In this study the focus is on Batho Pele (a Sotho translation for 'people first'), an initiative to get people that work in the public services to be service orientated and to strive for excellence towards continuous service delivery improvement (SA, 2004a:8). Batho Pele consist of a framework with two primary functions that apply to this study; service delivery to people as the customers (patients in this study) and the possibility to hold individual public servants (health care personnel in this study) accountable for poor service delivery. This, in fact, implies that poor performance lead to poor service delivery; thus, compliance with the Batho Pele principles plays a pivotal role to improve quality health care service delivery. The purpose of the study was to make recommendations to enhance the current compliance with the Batho Pele principles in a Primary Health Care (PHC) context that would positively improve quality care and patient satisfaction. A non–experimental, quantitative, descriptive study was undertaken within the philosophical framework of the Batho Pele principles as well as the Patients‘ Right Charter. All participants completed a structured questionnaire to determine the level of compliance with the Batho Pele principles as experienced by the patients and viewed by the health care personnel in a PHC context. The data collected, was analysed using descriptive statistics. Four PHC clinics were involved, situated at Umzinyathi District Health in the Kwazulu Natal (KZN) Province of South Africa. The study included two patient–population samples, based on convenience; the participants that visited the clinics (n=132) and the participants visited by the researcher at home (n=101). Fifty– six (n=56) health care personnel who voluntary agreed to participate in the study were an all–inclusive sample. The findings revealed that the patients in the study felt more secure to answer the questions on their experiences regarding compliances with the Batho Pele principles at home and this could be an important consideration when conducting patient satisfaction surveys. It was also clear that patients were more dissatisfied than health care personnel in most questions asked regarding their experience on the compliance with the Batho Pele principles in a PHC context. Recommendations were made in the light of what was contained in the study that can serve as a starting point to address identified shortcomings in nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A preocupação com a qualidade da assistência tem aumentado nas últimas décadas em todo o mundo. O aumento da demanda, aliado à escassez de recursos financeiros e ao desenvolvimento e incorporação de novas tecnologias, tem suscitado reflexões e pesquisas que busquem avaliar a assistência hospitalar prestada em termos de custo-efetividade. Os estudos têm utilizado, na sua grande maioria, taxas de mortalidade hospitalar, que é um indicador tradicional de desempenho hospitalar. A análise comparativa de indicadores de desempenho pressupõe que as taxas de mortalidade sejam ajustadas às características dos pacientes e ao perfil do hospital, que também contribui na probabilidade de óbito hospitalar. Muitos autores têm utilizado bases de dados administrativas para avaliar estabelecimentos de saúde, principalmente pelo baixo custo e fácil disponibilidade. Diversos estudos internacionais têm analisado a eficiência dos serviços hospitalares de forma intensa e constante. No Brasil, os estudos ainda são poucos e a maioria tem avaliado diagnósticos específicos ou faixas-etárias específicas. Além disso, são poucos os que agregam o perfil dos hospitais na análise de predição do óbito hospitalar. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desta tese é desenvolver um índice de risco para óbito hospitalar ajustado pelas características das internações e pelo perfil dos hospitais a partir dos dados disponíveis no Sistema de Informações Hospitalar (SIH-SUS), com a finalidade de comparação de desempenho entre hospitais. É também objetivo desenvolver um modelo preditivo de probabilidade de óbito hospitalar utilizando a metodologia de modelo multinível. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados de 453.515 Autorizações de Internação Hospitalar (AIHs) do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH-SUS) do Rio Grande do Sul no ano de 2005. Utilizou-se regressão logística tradicional a fim de desenvolver um modelo preditivo das chances de óbito hospitalar considerando as características das internações. A seguir, foi realizada modelagem multinível buscando desenvolver um modelo preditivo das chances de óbito hospitalar considerando as características das internações e o perfil dos hospitais. Após o ajuste do modelo, foi calculado o Índice de Risco (IR), que permitiu o cálculo das probabilidades de óbitos hospitalares esperados (E), que foram comparados aos óbitos observados (O). O ordenamento do desempenho dos estabelecimentos foi realizado através da razão O/E em função da incorporação das características das internações (nível individual) e do perfil dos hospitais (nível contextual) conjuntamente no modelo preditivo. RESULTADOS: A taxa bruta de mortalidade para o conjunto dos 332 hospitais (453.515 AIHs) foi de 6,3%. A mortalidade foi maior para os homens. As doenças infecciosas e parasitárias, neoplasias, doenças do sistema nervoso, do aparelho circulatório e respiratório e, ainda, diagnósticos informados como sinais e sintomas anormais foram os que apresentaram significativamente maior número de óbitos do que o esperado através do teste Qui-quadrado. A especialidade clínica médica apresentou maior número de óbitos em comparação à especialidade cirurgia. A maioria das internações ocorreu em hospitais privados, enquanto que a taxa bruta de mortalidade foi maior nos hospitais públicos. Através da modelagem por regressão logística, utilizando o perfil das internações, obteve-se um Índice de Risco (IR) para mortalidade hospitalar. A partir do modelo preditivo foram calculados os óbitos esperados para os hospitais. Dos 206 hospitais analisados, a razão O/E (óbito observado/óbito esperado) mostrou 40 hospitais com mortalidade significativamente superior à esperada e 58 hospitais com mortalidade significativamente inferior à esperada. A partir do modelo preditivo multinível, formado por variáveis explicativas referentes à internação (primeiro nível) e variáveis explicativas referentes ao hospital (segundo nível), verificou-se que o perfil dos hospitais tem papel importante na predição do óbito hospitalar. As variáveis uso de UTI, seguida por idade foram as principais preditoras para óbito hospitalar no nível individual e porte do hospital, seguida por natureza jurídica, o foram no nível contextual respectivamente. A razão O/E baseada no modelo multinível mostrou que os hospitais de pequeno porte tem pior desempenho, os de grande porte melhoram seu desempenho e os de médio porte mantiveram-se praticamente sem modificações, quando comparados ao desempenho medido pela razão O/E obtida apenas para as características das internações. Constatou-se, ainda, um melhor desempenho dos estabelecimentos públicos, para todos os portes, e pior desempenho para os hospitais privados CONCLUSÕES: O índice de risco construído a partir das características da internação e do perfil dos estabelecimentos por modelos multinível pode ser empregado na análise de desempenho dos hospitais do SIH-SUS. O IR construído permitirá calcular a probabilidade de óbito e assim obter a taxa ajustada de mortalidade, a ser usada como um indicador de desempenho. Esta metodologia mostrou-se útil para rastrear hospitais que merecem uma atenção maior por parte de gestores, prestadores de serviços, profissionais e comunidade. A ordenação dos hospitais utilizando apenas a taxa de mortalidade bruta não é igual à ordenação quando se utiliza o ranking ajustado pelo modelo preditivo de probabilidade para o nível de internações, e esse último também não é igual quando se adiciona o nível dos hospitais. Recomenda-se que, ao comparar hospitais, seja utilizado o ajuste pelo modelo preditivo de probabilidade de risco que incorpora tanto o nível das internações, quanto dos hospitais. Estudos acrescentando outras variáveis do nível de internações, do nível hospitalar, além da região, poderão contribuir para o aprimoramento do modelo e do índice de risco. O desenvolvimento de uma série histórica de acompanhamento, bem como a discussão com representantes de várias instâncias envolvidas no processo de avaliação hospitalar poderão aumentar a eficiência do método. / CONTEXTUALIZATION: The concern with the quality of care has increased in recent decades throughout the world. Increased demand, combined with the scarcity of financial resources and the development and incorporation of new technologies, has raised debate and research that seek to evaluate the hospital care provided in terms of costeffectiveness. Studies have mostly used hospital mortality rates, which is a traditional indicator of hospital performance. Comparative analysis of performance indicators means that mortality rates are adjusted to the characteristics of patients and to the hospital profile, which also contributes to the risk of death in hospital. Many authors have used administrative databases to assess health institutions, especially for their low cost and easy availability. Several international studies have analyzed the efficiency of hospital services in intense and constant way. In Brazil, studies are still few and most have evaluated specific diagnoses or specific age ranges. Moreover, few studies add the profile of hospitals to the analysis of prediction of hospital death. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this thesis is to develop a risk index for hospital death adjusted by characteristics of hospital admissions and by the profile of hospitals, using the available data in the SIH-SUS, for the purpose of comparison of performance between SUS hospitals. It also aims to develop a multilevel model of hospital risk of death. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with data from 453.515 Authorization Form for Hospital Admittance (AIHs) of the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH-SUS) in Rio Grande do Sul in 2005. A traditional logistic regression was used to develop a predictive model of the chances of hospital death considering the characteristics of hospital admissions. Additionally a multilevel modeling was employed to develop a predictive model of the chances of death considering the characteristics of hospital admissions and hospital profiles. After fitting the model, the risk index (IR) was calculated, which allowed for the calculation of the likelihood of hospital expected deaths (E), which were then compared to the observed deaths (O). The performance ranking of the establishments was conducted through the ratio O/E depending on the incorporation of characteristics of hospital (individual level) and the profiles of hospitals (contextual level) together in the predictive model. RESULTS: The crude death rate for all 332 hospitals (453.515 AIHs) was 6.3%. Mortality was higher for men. Infectious and parasitic diseases, neoplasms, diseases of the nervous system, of the circulatory and of the respiratory apparatus, and also informed diagnoses as abnormal signs and symptoms were those that had significantly more deaths than expected by the chi-square test. Higher number was observed for the speciality medical clinic of deaths compared to surgery. Most hospitalizations occurred in private hospitals, while the crude death rate was higher in public hospitals. Through the RL model, by using the profile of hospitalizations, a Risk Index (IR) was obtained for hospital mortality. From the predictive model were calculated expected deaths for hospitals. In 40 out of the 206 hospitals studied, the ratio O/E (observed deaths / expected deaths) showed mortality rates significantly higher than expected and, in 58 hospitals the mortality rates were significantly lower than expected. As for the multilevel predictive model, consisting of explanatory variables related to hospitalization (first level) and explanatory variables for the hospital (second level), the profiles of hospitals had an important role in prediction of hospital death. The variable use of Intensive Care Unit (UTI), followed by patient age, were the main predictors for hospital death at the individual level and size of the hospital, followed by a legal nature were the more important variables for the contextual level. The ratio O/E based on the multilevel model showed that small hospitals had a worse their performance, large institutions had better performances and those of medium size virtually unchanged when compared to the ratio O/E only for the characteristics of admissions It was also verified an improvement of performance of the public hospitals, for all sizes, and worsening of performance for private hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The risk index constructed from the characteristics of hospitalization and the profile of establishments by multilevel models can be used in the analysis of performance of the SIH-SUS hospitals. The presently developed IR will yield a probability of death and thereby an adjusted rate of mortality, to be used as an indicator of performance. This methodology proved to be useful to track hospitals that deserve greater attention from managers, providers, professionals and community. The ordering of the hospitals using only the crude mortality rate is not equal to the ordering that uses the ranking set by the predictive model of probability for the level of admissions, and the latter is not equal when it adds the level of hospitals. When comparing hospitals, it is recommended the use of adjustment of the predictive model of probability of risk that incorporates both the levels of admissions and of the hospitals. Studies adding other variables in the level of admissions, the hospital level, as well as the region, could contribute to the improvement of the model and the risk index. The development of a historical series of monitoring and discussion with representatives of various groups involved in hospital evaluation will add validity to the assessment method.

This study explored and described the impact of the rights and obligations of nurses on the delivery of quality patient care in a clinical setting. Quantitative research approach was utilised. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The research results revealed that respondents who participated in this study were aware of their rights and obligations, the effects and impact of factors influencing such rights and obligations on patient care. It was established that “patient abandonment” observed when nurses embark on a strike as their constitutionally enshrined right is not due to a lack of insight about their rights and obligations, but on how such rights and obligations are implemented. The researcher recommends that further research be undertaken to explore the causes of nurses embarking on strike actions despite their high level of knowledge concerning the impact of such actions on patient care in a clinical setting / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A preocupação com a qualidade da assistência tem aumentado nas últimas décadas em todo o mundo. O aumento da demanda, aliado à escassez de recursos financeiros e ao desenvolvimento e incorporação de novas tecnologias, tem suscitado reflexões e pesquisas que busquem avaliar a assistência hospitalar prestada em termos de custo-efetividade. Os estudos têm utilizado, na sua grande maioria, taxas de mortalidade hospitalar, que é um indicador tradicional de desempenho hospitalar. A análise comparativa de indicadores de desempenho pressupõe que as taxas de mortalidade sejam ajustadas às características dos pacientes e ao perfil do hospital, que também contribui na probabilidade de óbito hospitalar. Muitos autores têm utilizado bases de dados administrativas para avaliar estabelecimentos de saúde, principalmente pelo baixo custo e fácil disponibilidade. Diversos estudos internacionais têm analisado a eficiência dos serviços hospitalares de forma intensa e constante. No Brasil, os estudos ainda são poucos e a maioria tem avaliado diagnósticos específicos ou faixas-etárias específicas. Além disso, são poucos os que agregam o perfil dos hospitais na análise de predição do óbito hospitalar. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desta tese é desenvolver um índice de risco para óbito hospitalar ajustado pelas características das internações e pelo perfil dos hospitais a partir dos dados disponíveis no Sistema de Informações Hospitalar (SIH-SUS), com a finalidade de comparação de desempenho entre hospitais. É também objetivo desenvolver um modelo preditivo de probabilidade de óbito hospitalar utilizando a metodologia de modelo multinível. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados de 453.515 Autorizações de Internação Hospitalar (AIHs) do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH-SUS) do Rio Grande do Sul no ano de 2005. Utilizou-se regressão logística tradicional a fim de desenvolver um modelo preditivo das chances de óbito hospitalar considerando as características das internações. A seguir, foi realizada modelagem multinível buscando desenvolver um modelo preditivo das chances de óbito hospitalar considerando as características das internações e o perfil dos hospitais. Após o ajuste do modelo, foi calculado o Índice de Risco (IR), que permitiu o cálculo das probabilidades de óbitos hospitalares esperados (E), que foram comparados aos óbitos observados (O). O ordenamento do desempenho dos estabelecimentos foi realizado através da razão O/E em função da incorporação das características das internações (nível individual) e do perfil dos hospitais (nível contextual) conjuntamente no modelo preditivo. RESULTADOS: A taxa bruta de mortalidade para o conjunto dos 332 hospitais (453.515 AIHs) foi de 6,3%. A mortalidade foi maior para os homens. As doenças infecciosas e parasitárias, neoplasias, doenças do sistema nervoso, do aparelho circulatório e respiratório e, ainda, diagnósticos informados como sinais e sintomas anormais foram os que apresentaram significativamente maior número de óbitos do que o esperado através do teste Qui-quadrado. A especialidade clínica médica apresentou maior número de óbitos em comparação à especialidade cirurgia. A maioria das internações ocorreu em hospitais privados, enquanto que a taxa bruta de mortalidade foi maior nos hospitais públicos. Através da modelagem por regressão logística, utilizando o perfil das internações, obteve-se um Índice de Risco (IR) para mortalidade hospitalar. A partir do modelo preditivo foram calculados os óbitos esperados para os hospitais. Dos 206 hospitais analisados, a razão O/E (óbito observado/óbito esperado) mostrou 40 hospitais com mortalidade significativamente superior à esperada e 58 hospitais com mortalidade significativamente inferior à esperada. A partir do modelo preditivo multinível, formado por variáveis explicativas referentes à internação (primeiro nível) e variáveis explicativas referentes ao hospital (segundo nível), verificou-se que o perfil dos hospitais tem papel importante na predição do óbito hospitalar. As variáveis uso de UTI, seguida por idade foram as principais preditoras para óbito hospitalar no nível individual e porte do hospital, seguida por natureza jurídica, o foram no nível contextual respectivamente. A razão O/E baseada no modelo multinível mostrou que os hospitais de pequeno porte tem pior desempenho, os de grande porte melhoram seu desempenho e os de médio porte mantiveram-se praticamente sem modificações, quando comparados ao desempenho medido pela razão O/E obtida apenas para as características das internações. Constatou-se, ainda, um melhor desempenho dos estabelecimentos públicos, para todos os portes, e pior desempenho para os hospitais privados CONCLUSÕES: O índice de risco construído a partir das características da internação e do perfil dos estabelecimentos por modelos multinível pode ser empregado na análise de desempenho dos hospitais do SIH-SUS. O IR construído permitirá calcular a probabilidade de óbito e assim obter a taxa ajustada de mortalidade, a ser usada como um indicador de desempenho. Esta metodologia mostrou-se útil para rastrear hospitais que merecem uma atenção maior por parte de gestores, prestadores de serviços, profissionais e comunidade. A ordenação dos hospitais utilizando apenas a taxa de mortalidade bruta não é igual à ordenação quando se utiliza o ranking ajustado pelo modelo preditivo de probabilidade para o nível de internações, e esse último também não é igual quando se adiciona o nível dos hospitais. Recomenda-se que, ao comparar hospitais, seja utilizado o ajuste pelo modelo preditivo de probabilidade de risco que incorpora tanto o nível das internações, quanto dos hospitais. Estudos acrescentando outras variáveis do nível de internações, do nível hospitalar, além da região, poderão contribuir para o aprimoramento do modelo e do índice de risco. O desenvolvimento de uma série histórica de acompanhamento, bem como a discussão com representantes de várias instâncias envolvidas no processo de avaliação hospitalar poderão aumentar a eficiência do método. / CONTEXTUALIZATION: The concern with the quality of care has increased in recent decades throughout the world. Increased demand, combined with the scarcity of financial resources and the development and incorporation of new technologies, has raised debate and research that seek to evaluate the hospital care provided in terms of costeffectiveness. Studies have mostly used hospital mortality rates, which is a traditional indicator of hospital performance. Comparative analysis of performance indicators means that mortality rates are adjusted to the characteristics of patients and to the hospital profile, which also contributes to the risk of death in hospital. Many authors have used administrative databases to assess health institutions, especially for their low cost and easy availability. Several international studies have analyzed the efficiency of hospital services in intense and constant way. In Brazil, studies are still few and most have evaluated specific diagnoses or specific age ranges. Moreover, few studies add the profile of hospitals to the analysis of prediction of hospital death. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this thesis is to develop a risk index for hospital death adjusted by characteristics of hospital admissions and by the profile of hospitals, using the available data in the SIH-SUS, for the purpose of comparison of performance between SUS hospitals. It also aims to develop a multilevel model of hospital risk of death. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with data from 453.515 Authorization Form for Hospital Admittance (AIHs) of the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH-SUS) in Rio Grande do Sul in 2005. A traditional logistic regression was used to develop a predictive model of the chances of hospital death considering the characteristics of hospital admissions. Additionally a multilevel modeling was employed to develop a predictive model of the chances of death considering the characteristics of hospital admissions and hospital profiles. After fitting the model, the risk index (IR) was calculated, which allowed for the calculation of the likelihood of hospital expected deaths (E), which were then compared to the observed deaths (O). The performance ranking of the establishments was conducted through the ratio O/E depending on the incorporation of characteristics of hospital (individual level) and the profiles of hospitals (contextual level) together in the predictive model. RESULTS: The crude death rate for all 332 hospitals (453.515 AIHs) was 6.3%. Mortality was higher for men. Infectious and parasitic diseases, neoplasms, diseases of the nervous system, of the circulatory and of the respiratory apparatus, and also informed diagnoses as abnormal signs and symptoms were those that had significantly more deaths than expected by the chi-square test. Higher number was observed for the speciality medical clinic of deaths compared to surgery. Most hospitalizations occurred in private hospitals, while the crude death rate was higher in public hospitals. Through the RL model, by using the profile of hospitalizations, a Risk Index (IR) was obtained for hospital mortality. From the predictive model were calculated expected deaths for hospitals. In 40 out of the 206 hospitals studied, the ratio O/E (observed deaths / expected deaths) showed mortality rates significantly higher than expected and, in 58 hospitals the mortality rates were significantly lower than expected. As for the multilevel predictive model, consisting of explanatory variables related to hospitalization (first level) and explanatory variables for the hospital (second level), the profiles of hospitals had an important role in prediction of hospital death. The variable use of Intensive Care Unit (UTI), followed by patient age, were the main predictors for hospital death at the individual level and size of the hospital, followed by a legal nature were the more important variables for the contextual level. The ratio O/E based on the multilevel model showed that small hospitals had a worse their performance, large institutions had better performances and those of medium size virtually unchanged when compared to the ratio O/E only for the characteristics of admissions It was also verified an improvement of performance of the public hospitals, for all sizes, and worsening of performance for private hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The risk index constructed from the characteristics of hospitalization and the profile of establishments by multilevel models can be used in the analysis of performance of the SIH-SUS hospitals. The presently developed IR will yield a probability of death and thereby an adjusted rate of mortality, to be used as an indicator of performance. This methodology proved to be useful to track hospitals that deserve greater attention from managers, providers, professionals and community. The ordering of the hospitals using only the crude mortality rate is not equal to the ordering that uses the ranking set by the predictive model of probability for the level of admissions, and the latter is not equal when it adds the level of hospitals. When comparing hospitals, it is recommended the use of adjustment of the predictive model of probability of risk that incorporates both the levels of admissions and of the hospitals. Studies adding other variables in the level of admissions, the hospital level, as well as the region, could contribute to the improvement of the model and the risk index. The development of a historical series of monitoring and discussion with representatives of various groups involved in hospital evaluation will add validity to the assessment method.

Quality nursing care is today the essential goal of contemporary nursing. Therefore it is necessary to introduce in sanitary facilities a quality improvement program, whose part is tracking quality indicators of care provided. Within the practical part we set three goals. The first of them is to define tracked quality indicators of nursing care in Hospital České Budějovice, a.s. The second goal is to evaluate the selected quality indicators of nursing care in Hospital České Budějovice. The third goal is to inform nurses on quality indicators of nursing care in Hospital České Budějovice. Based on these goals we introduced six hypotheses. The first hypothesis says: Hospital České Budějovice, a.s. tracks at least 15 quality indicators of nursing care within the tracked period. The second hypothesis says: Hospital České Budějovice, a. s. realized at least four nursing care audits per year. The third hypothesis says: nurses of Hospital České Budějovice are satisfied with working conditions. The fourth hypothesis says: clients of Hospital České Budějovice, a.s. are satisfied with the provided nursing care. The fifth hypothesis says: Nurses of Hospital České Budějovice know at least four quality indicators of nursing care in Hospital České Budějovice being tracked in their wards. The sixth hypothesis says: Prevalence rate of decubitus in Hospital České Budějovice decreases. The research ran over under collaboration with staff nurse of Hospital České Budějovice, a.s.; one of forms of the research was also a nursing audit; further data collection method by means of questionnaires was used. The research file involved nurses and clients of Hospital České Budějovice, a.s. In the course of the research we fulfilled the set goals; the first, fourths and the fifth hypotheses were confirmed and the second, third, and the sixth hypotheses were not confirmed. The research results have been offered to the hospital top management as a data source concerning the nursing care quality. The work should also provide nurses with information on that monitoring and evaluating nursing care quality through specific indicators is at present a necessity and indispensable fact and that its goal is not individual disciplinary decisions of individual nurses, but it concerns finding out system errors, their assertion and resolution.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A preocupação com a qualidade da assistência tem aumentado nas últimas décadas em todo o mundo. O aumento da demanda, aliado à escassez de recursos financeiros e ao desenvolvimento e incorporação de novas tecnologias, tem suscitado reflexões e pesquisas que busquem avaliar a assistência hospitalar prestada em termos de custo-efetividade. Os estudos têm utilizado, na sua grande maioria, taxas de mortalidade hospitalar, que é um indicador tradicional de desempenho hospitalar. A análise comparativa de indicadores de desempenho pressupõe que as taxas de mortalidade sejam ajustadas às características dos pacientes e ao perfil do hospital, que também contribui na probabilidade de óbito hospitalar. Muitos autores têm utilizado bases de dados administrativas para avaliar estabelecimentos de saúde, principalmente pelo baixo custo e fácil disponibilidade. Diversos estudos internacionais têm analisado a eficiência dos serviços hospitalares de forma intensa e constante. No Brasil, os estudos ainda são poucos e a maioria tem avaliado diagnósticos específicos ou faixas-etárias específicas. Além disso, são poucos os que agregam o perfil dos hospitais na análise de predição do óbito hospitalar. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desta tese é desenvolver um índice de risco para óbito hospitalar ajustado pelas características das internações e pelo perfil dos hospitais a partir dos dados disponíveis no Sistema de Informações Hospitalar (SIH-SUS), com a finalidade de comparação de desempenho entre hospitais. É também objetivo desenvolver um modelo preditivo de probabilidade de óbito hospitalar utilizando a metodologia de modelo multinível. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com dados de 453.515 Autorizações de Internação Hospitalar (AIHs) do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde (SIH-SUS) do Rio Grande do Sul no ano de 2005. Utilizou-se regressão logística tradicional a fim de desenvolver um modelo preditivo das chances de óbito hospitalar considerando as características das internações. A seguir, foi realizada modelagem multinível buscando desenvolver um modelo preditivo das chances de óbito hospitalar considerando as características das internações e o perfil dos hospitais. Após o ajuste do modelo, foi calculado o Índice de Risco (IR), que permitiu o cálculo das probabilidades de óbitos hospitalares esperados (E), que foram comparados aos óbitos observados (O). O ordenamento do desempenho dos estabelecimentos foi realizado através da razão O/E em função da incorporação das características das internações (nível individual) e do perfil dos hospitais (nível contextual) conjuntamente no modelo preditivo. RESULTADOS: A taxa bruta de mortalidade para o conjunto dos 332 hospitais (453.515 AIHs) foi de 6,3%. A mortalidade foi maior para os homens. As doenças infecciosas e parasitárias, neoplasias, doenças do sistema nervoso, do aparelho circulatório e respiratório e, ainda, diagnósticos informados como sinais e sintomas anormais foram os que apresentaram significativamente maior número de óbitos do que o esperado através do teste Qui-quadrado. A especialidade clínica médica apresentou maior número de óbitos em comparação à especialidade cirurgia. A maioria das internações ocorreu em hospitais privados, enquanto que a taxa bruta de mortalidade foi maior nos hospitais públicos. Através da modelagem por regressão logística, utilizando o perfil das internações, obteve-se um Índice de Risco (IR) para mortalidade hospitalar. A partir do modelo preditivo foram calculados os óbitos esperados para os hospitais. Dos 206 hospitais analisados, a razão O/E (óbito observado/óbito esperado) mostrou 40 hospitais com mortalidade significativamente superior à esperada e 58 hospitais com mortalidade significativamente inferior à esperada. A partir do modelo preditivo multinível, formado por variáveis explicativas referentes à internação (primeiro nível) e variáveis explicativas referentes ao hospital (segundo nível), verificou-se que o perfil dos hospitais tem papel importante na predição do óbito hospitalar. As variáveis uso de UTI, seguida por idade foram as principais preditoras para óbito hospitalar no nível individual e porte do hospital, seguida por natureza jurídica, o foram no nível contextual respectivamente. A razão O/E baseada no modelo multinível mostrou que os hospitais de pequeno porte tem pior desempenho, os de grande porte melhoram seu desempenho e os de médio porte mantiveram-se praticamente sem modificações, quando comparados ao desempenho medido pela razão O/E obtida apenas para as características das internações. Constatou-se, ainda, um melhor desempenho dos estabelecimentos públicos, para todos os portes, e pior desempenho para os hospitais privados CONCLUSÕES: O índice de risco construído a partir das características da internação e do perfil dos estabelecimentos por modelos multinível pode ser empregado na análise de desempenho dos hospitais do SIH-SUS. O IR construído permitirá calcular a probabilidade de óbito e assim obter a taxa ajustada de mortalidade, a ser usada como um indicador de desempenho. Esta metodologia mostrou-se útil para rastrear hospitais que merecem uma atenção maior por parte de gestores, prestadores de serviços, profissionais e comunidade. A ordenação dos hospitais utilizando apenas a taxa de mortalidade bruta não é igual à ordenação quando se utiliza o ranking ajustado pelo modelo preditivo de probabilidade para o nível de internações, e esse último também não é igual quando se adiciona o nível dos hospitais. Recomenda-se que, ao comparar hospitais, seja utilizado o ajuste pelo modelo preditivo de probabilidade de risco que incorpora tanto o nível das internações, quanto dos hospitais. Estudos acrescentando outras variáveis do nível de internações, do nível hospitalar, além da região, poderão contribuir para o aprimoramento do modelo e do índice de risco. O desenvolvimento de uma série histórica de acompanhamento, bem como a discussão com representantes de várias instâncias envolvidas no processo de avaliação hospitalar poderão aumentar a eficiência do método. / CONTEXTUALIZATION: The concern with the quality of care has increased in recent decades throughout the world. Increased demand, combined with the scarcity of financial resources and the development and incorporation of new technologies, has raised debate and research that seek to evaluate the hospital care provided in terms of costeffectiveness. Studies have mostly used hospital mortality rates, which is a traditional indicator of hospital performance. Comparative analysis of performance indicators means that mortality rates are adjusted to the characteristics of patients and to the hospital profile, which also contributes to the risk of death in hospital. Many authors have used administrative databases to assess health institutions, especially for their low cost and easy availability. Several international studies have analyzed the efficiency of hospital services in intense and constant way. In Brazil, studies are still few and most have evaluated specific diagnoses or specific age ranges. Moreover, few studies add the profile of hospitals to the analysis of prediction of hospital death. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this thesis is to develop a risk index for hospital death adjusted by characteristics of hospital admissions and by the profile of hospitals, using the available data in the SIH-SUS, for the purpose of comparison of performance between SUS hospitals. It also aims to develop a multilevel model of hospital risk of death. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with data from 453.515 Authorization Form for Hospital Admittance (AIHs) of the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH-SUS) in Rio Grande do Sul in 2005. A traditional logistic regression was used to develop a predictive model of the chances of hospital death considering the characteristics of hospital admissions. Additionally a multilevel modeling was employed to develop a predictive model of the chances of death considering the characteristics of hospital admissions and hospital profiles. After fitting the model, the risk index (IR) was calculated, which allowed for the calculation of the likelihood of hospital expected deaths (E), which were then compared to the observed deaths (O). The performance ranking of the establishments was conducted through the ratio O/E depending on the incorporation of characteristics of hospital (individual level) and the profiles of hospitals (contextual level) together in the predictive model. RESULTS: The crude death rate for all 332 hospitals (453.515 AIHs) was 6.3%. Mortality was higher for men. Infectious and parasitic diseases, neoplasms, diseases of the nervous system, of the circulatory and of the respiratory apparatus, and also informed diagnoses as abnormal signs and symptoms were those that had significantly more deaths than expected by the chi-square test. Higher number was observed for the speciality medical clinic of deaths compared to surgery. Most hospitalizations occurred in private hospitals, while the crude death rate was higher in public hospitals. Through the RL model, by using the profile of hospitalizations, a Risk Index (IR) was obtained for hospital mortality. From the predictive model were calculated expected deaths for hospitals. In 40 out of the 206 hospitals studied, the ratio O/E (observed deaths / expected deaths) showed mortality rates significantly higher than expected and, in 58 hospitals the mortality rates were significantly lower than expected. As for the multilevel predictive model, consisting of explanatory variables related to hospitalization (first level) and explanatory variables for the hospital (second level), the profiles of hospitals had an important role in prediction of hospital death. The variable use of Intensive Care Unit (UTI), followed by patient age, were the main predictors for hospital death at the individual level and size of the hospital, followed by a legal nature were the more important variables for the contextual level. The ratio O/E based on the multilevel model showed that small hospitals had a worse their performance, large institutions had better performances and those of medium size virtually unchanged when compared to the ratio O/E only for the characteristics of admissions It was also verified an improvement of performance of the public hospitals, for all sizes, and worsening of performance for private hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The risk index constructed from the characteristics of hospitalization and the profile of establishments by multilevel models can be used in the analysis of performance of the SIH-SUS hospitals. The presently developed IR will yield a probability of death and thereby an adjusted rate of mortality, to be used as an indicator of performance. This methodology proved to be useful to track hospitals that deserve greater attention from managers, providers, professionals and community. The ordering of the hospitals using only the crude mortality rate is not equal to the ordering that uses the ranking set by the predictive model of probability for the level of admissions, and the latter is not equal when it adds the level of hospitals. When comparing hospitals, it is recommended the use of adjustment of the predictive model of probability of risk that incorporates both the levels of admissions and of the hospitals. Studies adding other variables in the level of admissions, the hospital level, as well as the region, could contribute to the improvement of the model and the risk index. The development of a historical series of monitoring and discussion with representatives of various groups involved in hospital evaluation will add validity to the assessment method.

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