The aims of this thesis were to evaluate caries-preventive measures from a societal perspective, to demonstrate the use of resources in preventive dentistry, to develop and discuss techniques suitable for evaluating dental care costs and outcomes, and to test costs and consequences within a health economic decision model adapted to preventive dental care. The thesis is based on three separate studies with three separate cohorts. In the first study, performed at a single dental clinic, analysis was made of data on dental caries progression over four years in 92 adolescents, along with the use of resources for preventive treatment. In the second study, data from the intervention study “Evaluation of caries-preventive measures” (performed between 1995 and 1999 at 26 dental health clinics throughout Sweden) were used for economic evaluation. Three different approaches to calculating unit cost were discussed, each of which reflect the differences in treatment costs as influenced by the practitioner’s level of skill and competence (salary) and by methods of handling overhead cost allocation. These methods seem useful for evaluating costs in cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The CEA showed an incremental cost-effectiveness over four years of SEK 2 043* per averted decayed (D) enamel (e) and dentine caries, missing (M) and filled (F) surface (S) (DeMFS). In the third study, 82 19-year-old individuals agreed to participate in a pilot exploratory case-control study. Individuals with high caries experience formed the test group while the control group consisted of individuals with no caries experience. To explore whether any differences existed between these two groups in perceived oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL), two OHRQOL measures were used. Additionally, the willingness of these individuals to pay (WTP) for a preventive strategy was elicited using the contingent valuation method (CVM) within a cost-benefit approach. Using these WTP values, the cost-benefit analyses showed positive net social benefit (NSB) values for both study groups, meaning that the benefits of prevention exceeded the costs. A new outcome measure, Value of Statistical Oral Health (VOSOH), was also presented. Consideration was also made, within the economic framework fundamental to this thesis, of the trend away from a strictly bio-medical paradigm towards a biopsychosocial perspective. The health economic decision model encompasses a number of different techniques for comparing costs with consequences, each with its own advantages and disadvantages and each with its own field of application. These techniques should be seen as complementary rather than competing. Preventive dentistry plays a central role in Swedish dental health care, and it is important that resources are used properly. Accurate evaluation methods are necessary in order to improve the basis for public decision-making; the methods proposed in this thesis seem to be of potential use in this endeavour. *SEK8.54 = US$1 (December 1999).

From the Proceedings of the 1972 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - May 5-6, 1972, Prescott, Arizona / Land is subsiding over a heavily mined aquifer in south central Arizona. Subsidence damages are inventoried to help provide a basis upon which cost studies can be performed to determine actions to lessen the economic impact of these damages. Water table drawdown produces increasing loading stress by three ways: changes in bouyant support of aquifer grains, changes in water table, or both. Two types of subsidence are recognized--one-directional compression, and near surface phenomenon. Damages due to natural structures, and to man-made structures are reviewed. Agricultural damages include field releveling, ditch repair and well damage. Damages to transportational facilities include highways, bridges, pipelines, and railroads. Damages to domestic and urban structures are suggested. Questionnaires, interviews and on-site inspections were used to collect information on land subsidence damages in the study area.

From the Proceedings of the 1977 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Assn. and the Hydrology Section - Arizona Academy of Science - April 15-16, 1977, Las Vegas, Nevada / An economic evaluation of the Central Arizona Project was conducted with a goal of developing a simulation model of CAP costs, water operations and capital repayment alternatives. This model was compared to the actual cost experience of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for a realistic assessment. In addition, an effort was made to consider some of the indirect impacts of the CAP, and the overall economic outlook was summarized. In devising the simulation model CAP capital costs, CAP power supply and CAP water supply factors were considered along with user charges, management alternatives, and operations, maintenance and repair costs.

L’hypothèse de cette thèse est qu’une pratique collaborative médecins de famille-pharmaciens communautaires (PCMP) où le pharmacien fournit des soins pharmaceutiques avancés avec ajustement posologique d’une statine permettrait aux patients avec une dyslipidémie une réduction plus importante de leur LDL et augmenterait le nombre de patients atteignant leurs cibles lipidiques. Dans une étude clinique contrôlée et randomisée en grappe visant à évaluer une PCMP pour des patients ayant une dyslipidémie (l’étude TEAM), une journée de formation basée sur un protocole de traitement et des outils cliniques a été offerte aux pharmaciens PCMP pour les préparer à fournir des soins pharmaceutiques avancés. Les connaissances des pharmaciens sur les dyslipidémies étaient faibles avant la formation mais se sont améliorées après (moyenne de 45,8% à 88,2%; p < 0,0001). Après la formation, les pharmaciens avaient un haut niveau d’habiletés cliniques théoriques et pratiques. Bref, une journée de formation basée sur un protocole de traitement et des outils cliniques était nécessaire et adéquate pour préparer les pharmaciens à fournir des soins pharmaceutiques avancés à des patients ayant une dyslipidémie dans le contexte d’une étude clinique. Dans l’étude TEAM, 15 grappes de médecins et de pharmaciens (PCMP : 8; soins habituels (SH) : 7) ont suivi pendant un an, 225 patients (PCMP : 108; SH : 117) à risque modéré ou élevé de maladie coronarienne qui débutaient ou étaient déjà traités par une monothérapie avec une statine mais qui n’avaient pas atteint les cibles lipidiques. Au départ, par rapport aux patients SH, les patients PCMP avaient un niveau de LDL plus élevé (3,5 mmol/L vs 3,2 mmol/L) et recevaient moins de statine à puissance élevée (11,1 % vs 39,7 %). Après 12 mois, la différence moyenne du changement de LDL entre les groupes était égale à -0,2 mmol/L (IC95%: -0,3 à -0,1) et -0,04 (IC95%: -0,3 à 0,2), sans ajustement et avec ajustement, respectivement. Le risque relatif d’atteindre les cibles lipidiques était 1,10 (IC95%: 0,95 à 1,26) et 1,16 (1,01 à 1,32), sans ajustement et avec ajustement, respectivement. Les patients PCMP ont eu plus de visites avec un professionnel de la santé et d’analyses de laboratoire et étaient plus enclins à rapporter des changements de style de vie. La PCMP a amélioré l’adhésion aux lignes directrices en augmentant la proportion de patients aux cibles lipidiques. Les données intérimaires de l’étude TEAM (PCMP : 100 patients; SH : 67 patients) ont permis d’évaluer les coûts directs annuels du suivi du pharmacien du groupe PCMP (formation, visites, laboratoire), du médecin (visites, laboratoire) et du traitement hypolipémiant. Le suivi du pharmacien a coûté 404,07$/patient, incluant 320,67$ pour former les pharmaciens. Le coût global incrémental était 421,01$/patient. Une pratique collaborative pour des patients ayant une dyslipidémie engendre un coût raisonnable. / The hypothesis was that a family physician-community pharmacist collaborative care (PPCC) model where the pharmacist provides advanced pharmaceutical care including statin dosage adjustment would provide a greater LDL reduction to dyslipidemia patients and increase the number of patients reaching their target lipid levels. . In a cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate a PPCC model for patients with dyslipidemia (TEAM study), a one-day workshop based on a treatment protocol and specific clinical tools was offered to prepare PPCC pharmacists to provide advanced pharmaceutical care to dyslipidemia patients. Pharmacists knowledge on dyslipidemia was low before the workshop but significantly improved thereafter (overall score from 45,8% to 88,2%; p < 0,0001). After the workshop, pharmacists showed a high level of theoretical and practical skills. Finally, a one-day workshop based on a treatment protocol and clinical tools was necessary and adequate to prepare pharmacists to provide advanced pharmaceutical care to patients with dyslipidemia in the context of a clinical trial. In the TEAM study, 15 clusters of physicians and pharmacists (PPCC: 8; usual care (UC) : 7) followed for 1 year, 225 patients (PPCC: 108; UC:117) at moderate or high risk of coronary heart disease who initiated or were already treated with a statin monotherapy but who did not achieved target lipid levels. At baseline, compared to UC patients, PPCC patients had a higher level of LDL (3.54 mmol/L vs 3.22 mmol/L) and were prescribed less high-potency statin (11,1% vs 39,7%). At 12 months, the crude and adjusted between group-differences in the mean change in LDL-C were equal to -0.2 mmol/L (95%CI: -0.3 to -0.1) and -0.04 (95%CI: -0.3 to 0.2), respectively. The crude and the adjusted relative risk of achieving lipid targets were equal to 1.10 (95%CI: 0.95 to 1.26) and 1.16 (1.01 to 1.32), respectively. PPCC patients had more health-professional visits and laboratory tests, were more likely to have their lipid-lowering treatment changed, and to report lifestyle changes. PPCC improved adherence to treatment-guideline recommendations with higher proportion of patients achieving their target lipid levels. From an interim analysis of the TEAM study (PPCC: 100 patients; UC: 67 patients) the annual direct costs for the pharmacist follow-up in the PPCC group (training, visits, laboratories), physician follow-up (visits, laboratories) and lipid-lowering treatment were evaluated. The cost for the pharmacist follow-up was $404.07/patient, including $320.67 to train pharmacists. The incremental overall cost was $421.01/patient. Finally, a PPCC for patients with dyslipidemia entails a reasonable cost.

But : La radiothérapie (RT) est disponible seulement dans les grandes villes au Québec. Les patients atteints de cancer vivant en zone rurale doivent voyager pour obtenir ces soins. Toute proportion gardée, moins de ces patients accèdent à la RT. L’accessibilité serait améliorée en instaurant de petits centres de RT qui dépendraient de la télémédecine (téléRT). Cette étude tente (1) de décrire un modèle (population visée et technologie) réaliste de téléRT; (2) d’en estimer les coûts, comparativement à la situation actuelle où les patients voyagent (itineRT). Méthode : (1) À l’aide de données probantes, le modèle de téléRT a été développé selon des critères de : faisabilité, sécurité, absence de transfert des patients et minimisation du personnel. (2) Les coûts ont été estimés du point de vue du payeur unique en utilisant une méthode publiée qui tient compte des coûts en capitaux, de la main d’oeuvre et des frais généraux. Résultats : (1) Le modèle de téléRT proposé se limiterait aux traitements palliatifs à 250 patients par année. (2) Les coûts sont de 5918$/patient (95% I.C. 4985 à 7095$) pour téléRT comparativement à 4541$/patient (95%I.C. 4351 à 4739$) pour itineRT. Les coûts annuels de téléRT sont de 1,48 M$ (d.s. 0,6 M$), avec une augmentation des coûts nets de seulement 0,54 M$ (d.s. 0,26 M$) comparativement à itineRT. Si on modifiait certaines conditions, le service de téléRT pourrait s’étendre au traitement curatif du cancer de prostate et du sein, à coûts similaires à itineRT. Conclusion : Ce modèle de téléRT pourrait améliorer l’accessibilité et l’équité aux soins, à des coûts modestes. / Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) is centralized in urban areas in Quebec. Patients with cancer living in remote areas must travel to receive RT, and the proportion of RT patients is inferior to that of urban patients. Telemedicine could allow a minimally staffed RT unit to operate at reasonable costs in a rural setting. This study aims (1) to outline a feasible structure and target population for a tele-radiotherapy unit (teleRT); and (2) to estimate the costs of teleRT, compared to the current situation based on travel to urban centres (travelRT). Methods and Materials: (1) We developed an evidence-based teleRT model meeting the criteria of: feasibility & safety, elimination of patient travel, and minimisation of staff migration. (2) Costs were estimated from the public payor perspective using a previously published activity-based costing model for RT. The model included annualized capital costs, labour, and overhead. Results: (1) In our model, teleRT was restricted to 250 palliative care patients per year. (2) The public payor cost of teleRT was 5918$/patient (95% C.I. 4985 to 7095$) as compared to 4541$/patient (95%C.I. 4351 to 4739$) for travelRT. Yearly costs of the teleRT unit was 1,48 M$ (s.d. 0,6 M$), with a net cost increase to the payor of 0,54 M$ (s.d. 0,26 M$) compared to travelRT. Under less stringent conditions, breast and prostate cancer patients could also benefit from teleRT at similar costs to travelRT. Conclusion: Establishing a teleRT unit to treat a small rural population of palliative care patients results in a modest net increase in cost to the public payor and could lead to increased accessibility and equity.

Contexte : La fibrillation auriculaire est commune chez les insuffisants cardiaques. L’efficacité des stratégies de contrôle de la fréquence et du rythme s’équivalent. Nous avons comparé l’impact économique des deux stratégies de traitement chez les patients avec fibrillation auriculaire et insuffisance cardiaque. Méthode : Dans cette sous-étude de l’essai Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure, la consommation de soins de santé des patients Québécois ainsi que leurs coûts ont été quantifiés grâce aux banques de données de la Régie de l’assurance-maladie du Québec et de l’Ontario Case Costing Initiative. Résultats : Trois cent quatre patients ont été inclus, âgés de 68±9 ans, fraction d’éjection de 26±6%. Les caractéristiques de base étaient bien réparties entre le contrôle du rythme (N=149) et de la fréquence (N=155). Les patients soumis au contrôle de la fréquence ont eu moins de procédures cardiovasculaires (146 versus 238, P<0.001) en raison du plus faible nombre de cardioversions et de moindres coûts reliés aux antiarythmiques (48 $±203 versus 1319 $±1058 par patient, P<0.001). Ces différences ont été compensées par un surplus de dépenses dues aux hospitalisations non-cardiovasculaires, aux dispositifs cardiaques implantables et aux médicaments non-cardiovasculaires dans le groupe du contrôle de la fréquence. Au total, les coûts par patient avec les stratégies du contrôle de la fréquence et du rythme s’élèvent à 78 767 $±79 568 et 72 764 $±72 800 (P=0.49). Interprétation : Chez les patients avec fibrillation auriculaire et insuffisance cardiaque, le contrôle de la fréquence est associé avec moins de procédures cardiovasculaires et une pharmacothérapie cardiovasculaire moins coûteuse. Toutefois, les coûts associés aux arythmies représentent moins de la moitié des dépenses de santé et le total des coûts s’équilibre entre les 2 stratégies. / Background: Atrial fibrillation is common in patients with heart failure. Rhythm and rate-control strategies are associated with similar efficacy outcomes. We compared the economic impact of the two treatment strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Methods: In a pre-specified substudy of the Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure trial, healthcare expenditures of patients from Quebec were analyzed from a single-payer perspective using a cost-minimization approach. In-trial resource utilization including hospitalizations, procedures, emergency department visits, outpatient encounters, and medications were estimated from Quebec Health Insurance Board administrative databases supplemented by disease-specific costs from the Ontario Case Costing Initiative. Results: A total of 304 patients were included, age 68±9 years, 86% male, ejection fraction 26±6%. Baseline characteristics were similar in rhythm (N=149) and rate-control (N=155) groups. Arrhythmia-related costs accounted for 45% of total expenditures. Rate-control patients had fewer cardiovascular procedures (146 versus 238, P<0.001), driven by fewer cardioversions, and lower costs related to antiarrhythmic drugs ($48±203 versus $1319±1058 per patient, P<0.001). However, these differences were offset by trends towards higher expenditures due to hospitalizations for non-cardiovascular diagnoses, implantable cardiac arrhythmia devices, and non-cardiovascular drugs with rate-control. Overall, the total cost per patient was similar with rate and rhythm-control strategies ($78 767±79 568 versus $72 764±72 800, P=0.49). Interpretation: In patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, rate control is associated with fewer cardiovascular procedures, most notably cardioversions, and less expensive cardiovascular drugs. However, arrhythmia-related costs account for less than half of all healthcare expenditures and overall costs are similar with the two strategies.

A reutilização do dialisador capilar em hemodiálise é uma prática realizada em muitos países, apesar de não haver consenso sobre sua segurança e eficácia em comparação ao dialisador de uso único. Em relação ao uso único, apontam-se os custos como grande entrave e a preocupação com o aumento do lixo hospitalar. No que se refere aos riscos do reuso, aponta-se a exposição dos profissionais aos produtos químicos necessários à realização do processo de reutilização, assim como movimentos repetitivos envolvidos na dinâmica dessa técnica; somadas a isto, a redução da eficiência da membrana, a contaminação do sistema, as infecções cruzadas, as reações pirogênicas e as bacteremias. Nesse sentido, tornam-se relevantes estudos que investiguem o efeito da adoção desses métodos nesses desfechos. Objetivos: Comparar as implicações do dialisador reutilizado (reuso) com as do utilizado uma única vez (uso único) na saúde dos profissionais, nos desfechos clínicos e custos de pacientes em hemodiálise. Métodos: Estudo longitudinal, com coleta de dados retrospectiva, realizado em um Hospital Público Universitário (Janeiro de 2015 a Fevereiro de 2016). Foram incluídos 18 técnicos de enfermagem e 34 pacientes renais crônicos submetidos à hemodiálise nos dois períodos do estudo (período de reuso e período de uso único), por meio de cateter, fístula ou enxerto, com fluxo de sangue de pelo menos 300 ml/min. e tempo de diálise definido entre três a quatro horas por sessão. Considerou-se como desfechos primários os distúrbios osteomusculares, irritação ocular, as dermatoses, afastamento do trabalho e uso de medicações. Como secundários, hemodinâmica, volemia, exames laboratoriais, reações pirogênicas, bacteremias, uso de antibióticos e custos diretos e indiretos do procedimento. Projeto aprovado no Comitê de Ética da instituição. Resultados: O tempo médio de trabalho dos 18 técnicos de enfermagem foi de 12±7 anos. Durante o período de reutilização do dialisador, houve sete notificações. Verificou-se uma taxa de exposição ao uso de medicamentos de 6,7 dias para cada 1.000 profissionais no período de reuso do dialisador; 1,52 dias de exposição à medicação para cada 1.000 profissionais no período de uso único do dialisador (RDI= 4,4; IC 95%: 2.182-9.805); os dias de afastamento foram semelhantes entre os períodos. Nos 34 pacientes estudados nos dois períodos, foram semelhantes os parâmetros hemodinâmicos e volêmicos; houve redução de ureia pós-diálise, creatinina, fósforo, ferritina, hematócrito e hemoglobina durante o uso único do dialisador; foi observado um risco 91% menor de pirogenia no uso único do dialisador, se comparado ao período de reuso (RC= 0,091; IC 95%: 0,002-0,625). Não houve diferença significativa na presença da bacteremias (p= 0,125); a vancomicina foi utilizada empiricamente para tratar a pirogenia. Para cada paciente em hemodiálise utilizando o dialisador reutilizado, o valor médio foi R$ 23,18; e com o dialisador de uso único foi de R$ 39,77 (p= 0,002). O custo indireto médio mensal durante o período de reuso foi de R$ 168,07 (R$ 0,37 por sessão); e para o uso único foi de R$133,23 ao mês (R$ 0,29 por sessão). O custo indireto não apresentou diferença estatística comparando o reuso e uso único do dialisador (p= 0,463). Conclusão: O reuso do dialisador esteve associado a distúrbios osteomusculares, irritação ocular e dermatoses entre os profissionais de enfermagem, além de maior uso de medicamentos. O uso único do dialisador reduziu pequenos solutos, ferritina, hematócrito, hemoglobina, e apresentou menor risco de pirogenias e bacteremias. Quanto aos custos, o reuso do dialisador obteve benefícios adicionais em relação aos custos diretos. Entretanto, para custos indiretos, o reuso não apresentou diferença em relação ao uso único. / Capillary dialyzer reuse in hemodialysis is a practice carried out in many countries, although there is no consensus about its safety and effectiveness in comparison with the single-use dialyzer. Regarding the single-use dialyzer, costs are considered a major obstacle, as is the concern with the increase in medical waste. In what concerns the risks of reuse, the exposure of the professionals to chemicals needed to carry out the process of reuse, as well as the repetitive movements involved in the dynamics of this technique stand out; added to this, there are the reduced efficiency of the membrane, the contamination of the system, cross-infections, pyrogenic reactions and bacteremia. In this sense, a study which investigates the effect of the adoption of these methods in these outcomes becomes relevant. Objectives: To compare the implications of reused dialyzer with single-use dialyzer on the health of professionals, clinical outcomes and costs of patients in hemodialysis. Methods: Longitudinal study with retrospective data collection, carried out in a Public University Hospital (January 2015 to February 2016). Participated in the study 18 nursing technicians and 34 chronic kidney patients subjected to hemodialysis in the two periods of the study (reuse and single-use periods), through catheter, fistula or graft, with blood flow of at least 300 mL/min, dialysis time set between three to four hours per session. Musculoskeletal disorders, eye irritation, skin diseases, work leave and the use of medications were considered as primary outcomes. Secondary included hemodynamics, blood volume, laboratory tests, pyrogenic reactions, bacteremia, antibiotic use, direct and indirect costs of the procedure. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee of the institution. Results: The average time of work of the 18 nursing technicians was 12±7 years. During the period of dialyzer reuse there were seven notifications. There was a rate of exposure to the use of medicines of 6.7 days for each 1,000 professionals within the period of dialyzer reuse; 1.52 days of exposure to medication for each 1,000 professionals in the period of single use of the dialyzer, (IDR = 4.4; 95% CI: 2,182-9,805); the days of work leave were similar between periods. In the 34 patients studied in the two periods, the hemodynamic and blood volume parameters were similar; there was reduction of urea after dialysis, creatinine, phosphore, ferritin, hematocrit and hemoglobin during the single use of the dialyzer; 91% less risk of pyrogenic reaction was noted in the single use of the dialyzer compared to the period of reuse (OR = 0.091; 95% CI: 0.002-0.625). There was no significant difference in the presence of bacteremia (p = 0.125); vancomycin was used empirically to treat pyrogenic reactions. For each patient on hemodialysis using the reused dialyzer, the average value was R$ 23.18 and with the single-use dialyzer, R$ 39.77 (p=0,002). The average monthly indirect cost during the period of reuse was 168,07R$ (0.37 R$ per session), and for the single-used period, R$ 133,23 per month (0.29 R$ per session). The indirect cost showed no statistical difference comparing the reuse and the single use of the dialyzer (p = 0.463). Conclusion: The reuse of the dialyzer was associated with musculoskeletal disorders, eye irritation and skin diseases among nursing professionals, in addition to more frequent use of medicines. The single use of the dialyzer reduced small solutes, ferritin, hematocrit hemoglobin, and showed lower risk of pyrogenic reactions and bacteremia. In what concerns the costs, the reuse of the dialyzer obtained additional benefits concerning the direct costs. However, for indirect costs, reuse exceeded single use values. / La reutilización del dializador capilar en hemodiálisis es una práctica realizada en muchos países, aunque no hay ningún consenso sobre su seguridad y eficacia en comparación al dializador de uso único. Con relación al uso único, se señalan los costos como un gran obstáculo, además del incremento de los residuos hospitalarios. En lo respecta a los riesgos del reuso, se señala la exposición de los profesionales a los productos químicos necesarios para la realización del proceso de reutilización, así como los movimientos repetitivos involucrados en la dinámica de esta técnica; se suma a esto la reducción de la eficiencia de la membrana, la contaminación del sistema, las infecciones cruzadas, las reacciones pirogénicas y las bacteriemias. En este sentido, estudios para investigar el efecto de la adopción de estos métodos en estos desenlaces se vuelven relevantes. Objetivos: Comparar las implicaciones del dializador reutilizado (reuso) con las del dializador de un solo uso (uso único) para la salud de los profesionales, desenlaces clínicos y costos de los pacientes en hemodiálisis. Métodos: Estudio longitudinal, con recopilación retrospectiva de datos, realizado en un Hospital Público Universitario (desde Enero 2015 hasta Febrero 2016). Se incluyeron 18 técnicos de enfermería y 34 pacientes renales crónicos sometidos a hemodiálisis en los dos periodos de estudio (periodo de reuso y periodo de uso único), a través de catéter, fístula o injerto, con flujo de sangre de por lo menos 300 ml/min y tiempo de diálisis definido entre tres y cuatro horas por sesión. Se consideraron como desenlaces primarios los trastornos osteomusculares, irritación ocular, dermatosis, alejamiento del trabajo y uso de medicaciones. Como secundarios, se consideraron la hemodinámica, volemia, exámenes de laboratorio, reacciones pirogénicas, bacteriemias, uso de antibióticos y costos directos e indirectos del procedimiento. El proyecto fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética de la institución. Resultados: El tiempo medio de trabajo de los 18 técnicos de enfermería fue de 12±7 años. Durante el periodo de reutilización del dializador, hubo siete notificaciones. Se verificó una tasa de exposición al uso de medicamentos de 6,7 días para cada 1.000 profesionales en el periodo de reuso del dializador; 1,52 días de exposición a la medicación para cada 1.000 profesionales en el periodo de uso único del dializador (RDI= 4,4; IC 95%: 2,182-9,805); los días de alejamiento fueron similares entre los periodos. En los 34 pacientes estudiados en los dos períodos, los parámetros hemodinámicos y volémicos fueron similares; hubo una reducción de urea después del diálisis, y de creatinina, fósforo, ferritina, hematocrito y hemoglobina durante el uso único del dializador; se observó un nivel de riesgo de piogenia 91% menor en el uso único del dializador, en comparación con el periodo de reuso (RC= 0,091; IC 95%: 0,002-0,625). No hubo diferencia significativa en la presencia de bacteriemias (p= 0,125); la vancomicina fue utilizada empíricamente para tratar las reacciones pirogénicas. Para cada paciente en hemodiálisis utilizando el dializador reutilizado, el valor medio fue de R$ 23,18; y con el dializador de uso único fue de 39,77 R$ (p= 0,002). El costo indirecto medio mensual durante el periodo de reuso fue de 168,00 R$ (R$ 0,37 por sesión); y para el uso único fue de R$ 133,23 al mes (R$0,29 por sesión). El costo indirecto no presentó diferencia estadística comparando el reuso y el uso único del dializador (p= 0,463). Conclusión: El reuso del dializador estuvo asociado a trastornos osteomusculares, irritación ocular y dermatosis entre los profesionales de enfermería, además de un mayor uso de medicamentos. El uso único del dializador ha reducido pequeños solutos, ferritina, hematocrito, hemoglobina, y ha presentado un riesgo menor de reacciones pirogénicas y bacteriemias. En cuanto a los costos, el reuso del dializador ha obtenido beneficios adicionales con relación a los costos directos. Sin embargo, para los costos indirectos, el reuso no ha presentado diferencia con relación al uso único.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to analyze incomes, expenses and profit in chosen production company, including detailed cost analysis, price realization and profitability of selected products company. For this analysis is selected company operating in the automotive industry and products for analysis are automotive components which are the core of the production program of the company. The period covered years between 2007 and 2011.

A crescente utilização do aço inoxidável como elemento estrutural despertou o interesse de clientes, arquitetos e engenheiros nos últimos anos. Apesar do custo ainda elevado, a sua aplicação na construção civil vem substituindo outros elementos estruturais. Seja por sua alta resistência à corrosão, aumentando a relação custo benefício; sua estética, proporcionando formas cada vez mais ousadas ou; seu apelo ambiental, gerando menos resíduos no meio ambiente. As subestações representam um papel importante no fornecimento de energia. Como possuem grande complexidade para manutenção, foi escolhida a estrutura suporte de seu barramento, para o dimensionamento em aço inoxidável. Desta forma, minimizando as paradas para realização de manutenções das estruturas, possibilitando maior qualidade no fornecimento de energia elétrica. Para fins comparativos foi escolhido o projeto de uma SE existente, cuja estrutura de suporte do barramento, foi construída por treliças formadas por cantoneiras de aço carbono galvanizado. Inicialmente, o dimensionamento foi desenvolvido utilizando perfis H e I funcionando como viga-coluna para os dois tipos de aço. Num segundo momento, a estrutura foi dimensionada como treliças planas. Todos os dimensionamentos foram realizados de acordo com as prescrições normativas do EUROCODE 3. Após realização dos dimensionamentos, foram apresentadas as análises comparativas dos custos envolvidos para os tipos de aço. Abordando o investimento inicial, os gastos com manutenção ao longo da vida e os custos elétricos agregados à redução das paradas para manutenção. / The increasing use of stainless steel as a structural element motivated, in recent years, the continuous interest of customers, architects and engineers. Despite its high cost, its application in construction have been replacing other structural elements. This is mainly due to its high corrosion resistance that increases its cost-effective ratio, its aesthetic that enables the construction of increasingly bold forms and its environmental appeal that generates less environmental waste. The electric power substations represent an important role in the global energy supply. Since its maintenance is a complex and costly process, one of its bus support structure was chosen to be designed in stainless steel. This strategy minimizes the number of stoppages for structural maintenance, enabling a higher quality power supply. For comparative purposes an existing power substation has been chosen where the bus supporting structure was made of galvanized carbon steel angle bar trusses. Initially, the design adopted I and H profiles functioning as beam-column for the two types of steel analyzed. In a second stage, the structure was designed as a plane truss. All designs were performed in accordance to the requirements of EUROCODE 3 standard. This was followed by comparative analyses of the costs involved for the studied steel types. These analyses involved the initial investment assessment properly contextualized with the posterior spending on maintenance and electrical costs of the stoppages and were set against the gains in reducing the downtime for maintenance of the stainless steel solution.

A crescente utilização do aço inoxidável como elemento estrutural despertou o interesse de clientes, arquitetos e engenheiros nos últimos anos. Apesar do custo ainda elevado, a sua aplicação na construção civil vem substituindo outros elementos estruturais. Seja por sua alta resistência à corrosão, aumentando a relação custo benefício; sua estética, proporcionando formas cada vez mais ousadas ou; seu apelo ambiental, gerando menos resíduos no meio ambiente. As subestações representam um papel importante no fornecimento de energia. Como possuem grande complexidade para manutenção, foi escolhida a estrutura suporte de seu barramento, para o dimensionamento em aço inoxidável. Desta forma, minimizando as paradas para realização de manutenções das estruturas, possibilitando maior qualidade no fornecimento de energia elétrica. Para fins comparativos foi escolhido o projeto de uma SE existente, cuja estrutura de suporte do barramento, foi construída por treliças formadas por cantoneiras de aço carbono galvanizado. Inicialmente, o dimensionamento foi desenvolvido utilizando perfis H e I funcionando como viga-coluna para os dois tipos de aço. Num segundo momento, a estrutura foi dimensionada como treliças planas. Todos os dimensionamentos foram realizados de acordo com as prescrições normativas do EUROCODE 3. Após realização dos dimensionamentos, foram apresentadas as análises comparativas dos custos envolvidos para os tipos de aço. Abordando o investimento inicial, os gastos com manutenção ao longo da vida e os custos elétricos agregados à redução das paradas para manutenção. / The increasing use of stainless steel as a structural element motivated, in recent years, the continuous interest of customers, architects and engineers. Despite its high cost, its application in construction have been replacing other structural elements. This is mainly due to its high corrosion resistance that increases its cost-effective ratio, its aesthetic that enables the construction of increasingly bold forms and its environmental appeal that generates less environmental waste. The electric power substations represent an important role in the global energy supply. Since its maintenance is a complex and costly process, one of its bus support structure was chosen to be designed in stainless steel. This strategy minimizes the number of stoppages for structural maintenance, enabling a higher quality power supply. For comparative purposes an existing power substation has been chosen where the bus supporting structure was made of galvanized carbon steel angle bar trusses. Initially, the design adopted I and H profiles functioning as beam-column for the two types of steel analyzed. In a second stage, the structure was designed as a plane truss. All designs were performed in accordance to the requirements of EUROCODE 3 standard. This was followed by comparative analyses of the costs involved for the studied steel types. These analyses involved the initial investment assessment properly contextualized with the posterior spending on maintenance and electrical costs of the stoppages and were set against the gains in reducing the downtime for maintenance of the stainless steel solution.