Abstract

BITTENCOURT, Roberto José  and  HORTALE, Virginia Alonso. Quality in the public health services emergency and some considerations about recent events at Rio de Janeiro city. Ciênc. saúde coletiva [online]. 2007, vol.12, n.4, pp. 929-934. ISSN 1413-8123.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232007000400014.

The main focus of the QUALISUS Program run by Brazil's Ministry of Health is the quest for quality in healthcare services, particularly in hospital emergency rooms. Taking as an example the crisis in health emergency services in Rio de Janeiro, this paper discusses some structural characteristics of this Program, emphasizing enhanced responsibility and a stronger team spirit for modified intake systems and building up of seamlessly integrated healthcare networks. Identifying possible solutions for this crisis based not only on funding, it suggests a quest for a new identity, redefining and integrating healthcare vocations, structuring flows and revising the work processes of healthcare services through a systemic approach focused on the user.

Keywords : Quality; Healthcare system; Emergency services.