Operating room quality in Portuguese hospitals

Abstract

ObjectiveQuality assessment is increasingly recognized as an important factor in improving the quality of health care, particularly in the operating room. This study sought to evaluate and compare the quality of care in operating rooms in Portuguese hospitals regarding their structure, process, and outcome. MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted in 71 Portuguese hospitals, integrating 1019 health professionals. For this purpose, three reference scales were used to assess structure (Structure Indicators in the Operating Room – IEBO scale), process (Processes of Care Quality in the Operating Room – PQABO scale), and outcome (Results of Care in the Operating Room – RQBO scale). ResultsReferring to the structure, the total score varied between medium and high quality (Medium quality: Public Hospital=93.1, Private Hospital=98.2, High quality: Charity Hospital=115.7 – reference values: Low quality: 28 to 83; Medium quality: 84 to 111; High quality: 112 to 140). Referring to the process, the total score obtained varied between medium and high quality (Medium quality: Public Hospital=66.3, Private Hospital =67.4, High quality: Charity Hospital=75.1 – reference values: Low quality: 15 to 50; Medium quality: 51 to 67; High quality: 68 to 85). In the outcomes setting, the global outcome assessment score obtained was medium in all the institutions (Medium quality: Public Hospital=39.8, Private Hospital=44.4, Charity Hospital=50.1 – reference values: Low quality: 13 to 38; Medium quality: 39 to 51; High quality: 52 to 65). ConclusionAbout the Operating Room Quality in Portuguese Hospitals, it was observed that operating rooms in public institutions have lower scores on the scales: IEBO, PQABO and – RQBO.