Objective To assess the public health impacts and needs, to evaluate performance of anti-epidemic efforts after Lushan earthquake, so as to provide references for the following anti-epidemic work. Methods The day of earthquake occurrence was defined as the first day after earthquake. We collected information and data from the Sichuan Provincial Government, the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China, the Health Department of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and then we compared the situations of disaster, public health situation in stricken area, emergency response, resource deployment, etc. with those after Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, in order to evaluate the performance of anti-epidemic response during 2 weeks, clarify current situations and demands, and offer a proposal for the following work. Results Emergency response was conducted immediately after the Lushan earthquake. The counterpart assistance was considered at the beginning of team arrangement. The number and professional structure of rescue participants were planned according to needs. Three days after earthquake, anti-epidemic staff arrived at every involved county, town, and even village, which achieved full rescue coverage of locations and interventions. The staff helped reconstruct disease surveillance system, protect source of drinking water and environmental hygiene, etc., which resulted in progressive achievement. Two weeks after the earthquake there were no outbreak and public health emergency event occurred in stricken area. Conclusion The anti-epidemic efforts after Lushan earthquake inherit and develop the lessons from Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. Emergency response is timely, orderly, scientific, and moderate. The deployment of policies, technologies and resources has already been completed during two weeks. Anti-epidemic efforts achieve preliminary results. We suggest that key issues of further work should be the implementation of policies, strategies and measures, such as health management at relocation sites, water and food hygiene, disease monitoring, prevention and control, mass vaccination, scientific disinfection, and health education, in order to improve long-efficacy mechanism and stabilize work performance.
Objective To evaluate the performance of emergency medical rescue (EMR) within 1 month after Lushan earthquake, and to prove and enrich the experience from Wenchuan earthquake, so as to provide useful references for global earthquake EMR with regard to decreasing death and disability rates. Methods All the following date published within 1 month after 4.20 Lushan earthquake were collected and analyzed, including official information, public documents, news release, relevant information from websites and victims’ medical records in the West China Hospital, then the relevant domestic and foreign literature about EMR (including EMR of Wenchuan earthquake). And then comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the performance of EMR in Lushan earthquake. Results a) Being 87 km apart from each other, the main seismic zones of Lushan and Wenchuan located in the south west and middle north of Longmenshan fault zone, respectively. Although only 1 earthquake magnitude differed between them, the disaster area, and the number of affected population, deaths, disappearances, injured, severe injured and migration population in Wenchuan earthquake were 40, 23, 353, 853, 27, 14 and 51 times higher than those in Lushan earthquake, respectively. b) Learned from Wenchuan experience, the manpower scheduling in Lushan earthquake was quicker: the assembled medical personnel peak of Lushan vs. Wenchuan was 87.62% vs. 56.06 % in golden 72 hours post-quake. c) Supplies scheduling was more rational: the utilization rate was higher under the guidance of accurate information of demand. d) Medical treatment was more rational and efficient: the critical injured were treated following “Four concentration treatment principles”; saving life and restoring function at the same time; treatment and physical-mental rehabilitation at the same time; treatment and evidence production and implementation at the same time. e) Medical institutions and service returned to normal in time: 96.7% (440/455) of government owned township medical institutions in 21 affected towns returned to normal and provided medical services at their original sites. Conclusion By learning form Wenchuan experience, the following performance is implemented in Lushan earthquake: medical rescue guided by the accurate information; supplies scheduling guided by the accurate demand; both critical injured treatment,and physical-mental rehabilitation guided by the accurate assessment of injuries. So the medical rescue within 1 month after Lushan earthquake is quicker, more rational and efficient. After 20 days post quake zero death of critical injured was achieved. The early physical-mental rehabilitation fastens the functional reconstruction of the injured and helps them return to the society. So it suggests that the Lushan EMR enriches and develops the reference value of EMR experience of Wenchuan earthquake.
Objective To systematically review and conclude the healthcare reform policy in rural China throughout the past 62 years. Methods This study was applied with PICOS structure to formulate research issues. National/ministry policies and documents on healthcare reform in rural China were systematically collected. The primary healthcare issues and healthcare reform measures carried out at each stage were studied, and, the criteria as population healthcare indicators, indicators for healthcare workforce and infrastructure in rural areas, healthcare expenditure indicators, and the results of national surveys for healthcare service were used to evaluate the reform performance achieved at each stage. Results A total 396 national policies on healthcare reform in rural China were included through comprehensive search. In accordance with the results of quantitative analysis on literatures, characteristics of economy system reform at each stage as well as actual advancement on healthcare reform, the reform courses of healthcare system in rural China in this study were divided into six periods as follows: national economy recovery and adjustment period, cultural revolution period, early stage of economy system transition, initial stage of healthcare reform, middle stage of healthcare reform, and implement stage for new rural cooperative medical system (NRCMS). The average policies of each period increased year by year, which generally showed as features as laying more emphasis on medical services than medicine, and thinking little of medical insurance. The population health indicators, sickbeds per thousand rural population and medical practitioners kept improving gradually. Yet the import of market mechanism and influence of international economy condition led to the decline in public welfare of healthcare system, increase of personal expenditure proportion among general healthcare cost, and duplicate content among some polices.Conclusion Commonwealth orientation is the fundamental principal to fulfill healthcare service system, thus performance on policies should be concluded in combination with the present national conditions, future requirements as well as evidence-based policy-making, and additionally, such performance should be improved during implementation.
Objective To summarize and analysis the working experience of healthcare performance evaluation and reporting experience in local health administration department of Australia, and provide decision support to China on such work as establishing objective, scientific, effective healthcare performance evaluation system, strengthening government’s supervision over health service and improving healthcare system management efficiency. Methods Searching official networks and databases of Australia, and finding out relevant policy, reports, and documents on healthcare performance evaluation. Results Typical healthcare performance evaluation systems in Australian are as follos: National Health Performance Framework (NHPF), the National Healthcare Agreement（NHA）and Review of Government Service Provision. Conclusions These programs in Australian is enlightening to these work in China that performance evaluation should be the prior tool in health system to management and reform, the performance measurement indicators systems should emphasize the quality safety and health fair.We should set up scientific and flexible index inclusion criteria and open report and compare performance information.
Objective To summarize and analyze the working experience of hospital performance evaluation and reporting system in America, so as to provide decision support to China on such work as establishing objective, scientific and effective hospital performance evaluation system, strengthening government’s supervision to health service, and promoting hospitals’ sound development.Methods American official websites and databases were searched to include relative policies, reports and documents on hospitals’ performance evaluation. Results Typical hospital performance evaluation and reporting system in America included National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR), Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and System (CAHPS), Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS), Leapfrog Group Evaluation System and Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals. Conclusion The enlightenments of American performance performance evaluation systems to China include: a) more attention should be paid to performance evaluation; b) combined evaluation models and results application methods should be considered; c) comparatively scientific evaluation methods and comprehensive evaluation contents should be established.
Objectives Performance of critical injury treatment among extremely-hit areas after great earthquake was retrospectively analyzed to provide references for policy-making as reducing mortality and disable rate besides increasing rehabilitation rate for global post-quake medical relief. Methods Retrospective analysis, primary research and secondary research were comprehensively applied. Results 1.According to incomplete statistics datum, there were 30,620 self-save injured among extremely-hit areas in 72 post-quake hours. And, the number of critical injured took 22% of the total inpatient injured. 2. Mortalities decreased successively from that of municipal healthcare centers in extremely-hit areas to that municipal medical units in peripheral quake-hit areas and then to those of municipal, provincial and MOH-affiliated hospitals as 12.21%, 4.50%, 2.50% and 2.17% respectively. 3. Injured with fractures on body, limbs or unknown-parts, severe conditions as well as other kinds of non-traumatic diseases received in second-line hospitals were much more than those treated in first-line hospitals with more severe injuries. 4. Among 10,373 injured in stable conditions transferred to third-line hospitals, 99.07% were discharged off hospitals with mortality as 0.017% during 4 post-quake months. Conclusions The medical relief model as “supervising body helping subordinate unit, severely-stricken areas assisting extremely-hit ones, quake-hit areas supporting both extremely-hit and severely-stricken ones, and save-saving amp; mutual assistance applied between extremely-hit areas” is roughly established for injured from severely-stricken areas after Wenchuan earthquake. 2. “Four concentration treatment” principle for those injured in critical conditions did effectively reduce mortality（15.06%→2.9%）. 3. Timely, scientific and standard on-site triage and post-medical transfer under guidance of accurate injury information determine rescue effect for the injured, while there is large space to fulfill as for treatment for critical diseases among extremely-hit areas under extreme conditions after Wenchuan earthquake.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the complete blood count performance quality of Sysmex-XN automatic hematology analyzer. MethodsWe investigated the precision rate, residual contamination rate, analytic linearity range, and background counting of Sysmex-XN-B3 analyzer. ResultsThe inner and inter-group precision test showed that the inaccuracy of the analyzer was lower than the allowable standard of 1/4 (CLIA'88). The highest level of residual contamination rate was 0.12%, lower than the standard of manufacturer (≤1%). Linearity evaluation showed that the white blood cell count analytic linear range was from 0.51×109/L to 393.40×109/L, the red blood cell count analytic linear range was from 0.51×1012/L to 8.15×1012/L, the hemoglobin analytic linear range from 15.0 g/L to 244.5 g/L, and the platelet count analytic linear range was from 3.0×109/L to 2 072.5×109/L. Background counting was also lower than the standard of manufacturer. Comparison between the two different series of analyzers showed that the inaccuracy rate of Sysmex-XN-B3 was not only lower than the standard of National Center for Clinical Laboratories, but also lower than the standard of 1/2 (CLIA'88). ConclusionSysmex-XN automatic hematology analyzer has a high performance in capability evaluation. It is an excellent tool for routine hematologic blood examination.
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of human resources in primary healthcare system of Xinjin county in Chengdu in 2010, so as to provide the evidence for appropriate allocation of health manpower. MethodsWe collected the data of human resources in the regional health information and management platform, and the list of health workers and their registration information. Microsoft Excel 2003 and SPSS 13.0 software were used to analyze data. Resultsa) A total of 1 551 health workers were in Xinjin primary healthcare system in 2010, including 1 124 in tenure position (accounting for 72.5%) and 427 in contract (accounting for 27.5%). b) In county-level hospital (CLH) or community healthcare centre (CHC) or township hospital (TH), the proportion of health professionals were 83.2%, 79.0% and 80.0% respectively; and 28.8%, 27.2% and 28.7% for registered & assistant doctors; 39.3%, 22.7% and 16.2% for registered nurses; 6.7%, 8.3% and 4.7% for technicians; and 5.9%, 6.8% and 6.9% for pharmacists, respectively. c) Health personnel per 1 000 population in CLH, CHC, and TH were 3.10, 1.98, and 1.92, respectively; health professionals per 1 000 population were 2.58, 1.58, and 1.54, respectively; registered & assistant doctors per 1 000 population were 0.89, 0.54, 0.55, respectively; and registered nurses were 1.22, 0.45, 0.31, respectively. The nurse-to-doctor ratios were 1.36, 0.83, and 0.56 nurses per doctor in CLH, CHC, and TH, respectively. The bed-to-nurse ratios were 0.59, 0.38, and 0.19 nurses per bed respectively. d) Most health professionals were junior professionals (about 60%), in college-level education (about 50%), between 25 to 44 years old (20%-70%), work experience between 5 to 19 years (40%-63%). e) Temporary employees in TH accounted for 46.4%, among which 86.6% younger than 35 years old, 23.4% in internship, and 64.1% at clinical position. Conclusiona) The shortage of health personnel is very obvious in Xinjin county with inappropriate proportions of health professionals; b) The stability of health personnel is challenging due to the large proportion of temporary employees in THs; c) health professionals in Xinjin county features a younger population, and in lower professional positions; d)Therefore, the related policies should be adjusted and innovated to enhance the education and training, to maintain the stability of health personnel and to promote the healthy and sustainable development of primary healthcare services.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the current status of primary healthcare system reform in Xinjin county, in order to provide baseline data for improving the healthcare service system and population health in Chengdu. MethodsPrimary health care services and population health in Xinjin county were quantitatively described and compared. Resultsa) Eleven township hospitals (100%) and 89 village clinics (66.42%) were upgraded according to the national standards. The management of 60 village clinics were integrated with township hospitals. And 417 and 76 essential healthcare services were provided by township hospitals and village clinics, respectively. b) In 2010, the number of outpatients and inpatients in Xinjin county were increased by 24.2% and 46.3% respectively compared to those of 2009, while the costs per outpatient visit and inpatient discharge were reduced by 21.5% and 18.6% respectively. c) In 2010, health records of 98.2% of population in Xinjin county have been established; 96.3% of pregnant women were managed systematically; 98.8% of children immunization programs were implemented; 100% patients with severe mental disorders and about 78% with hypertension and diabetes were in follow-up and treatment; and 28.8% of total population got the free physical exams in 2010. d) The essential medicine accounted for 96.7% of total types of medicines and 97.8% of total expenditure of medicines in primarily healthcare institutions in Xinjin. The cost of medicine management was reduced from 8.5% to 4.2% while the medicine turnover rate was increased by 50%. e) Average life expectancy in Xinjin county was 77.97 years, infant mortality rate was 6.82‰ in 2010; and there was no maternal death in recent 8 years. f) The regional healthcare information system was established covering three-tier rural health care network spanning the county, township and village. Conclusiona) The primary healthcare system reform in Xinjin county improves the infrastructure of primary care system, the utilization of essential medical care, essential public health service, and essential medicines. b) Life expectancy, infant mortality rate and maternal mortality of Xinjin county are better than the average levels in Sichuan province and China. Xinjin county is a representative pilot county for healthcare service system reform in Chengdu city and a nice model to successfully promote healthcare system reform based on regional healthcare information system.
ObjectiveTo investigate the essential healthcare system performance in Xinjin county of Chengdu city from 2009 to 2010, so as to provide baseline data for further study. MethodsThe general information of the essential healthcare, such as the numbers of out and in-patients, service and profits were collected and then analyzed using the software of Microsoft Excel 2003 and SPSS 13.0. Resultsa) The results showed that the numbers of out and in-patients were in the rank of the county, township and community hospital. The numbers of out and emergency patients has been decreased 31.0% and 25.3% in the community hospital from 2009 to 2010, while patients in the county and township hospital has been increased. The numbers of in-patients has been increased by year; b) hospital bed occupancy has been increased by year, and the hospital bed occupancy of county hospitals was 8% lower than national level in 2009, 33.5% higher in 2010, the hospital bed occupancy of township hospitals from 2009 to 2010 was higher than national level, the ones of community hospital was lower than national level; c) there is an annual decreasing tendency for average days for hospitalization in county and community hospital, which were higher than national level; d) it was lower than national average rate; e) the inpatient fee per time was lower than national average rate; f) in the components of the in-patients expense, drug expense, operation expense and diagnose expense were constituted more than 86% in all eight costs; and g) the receipts and expenditure of Xinjin hospital throughout the year increased by years, the income and expenses showed 39.3% and 37.7%. ConclusionThe hospital bed occupancy, average hospitalization days and the inpatient fee per time in Xinjin county of Chengdu city during 2009-2010, were higher than national level. The overall health performance of hospitals in Xinjin county was satisfied. However, there was significant difference between the best and the worst. In order to distribute health resources, both benefit and efficient should be emphasized.