Brazilian researchers develop index to reduce delay in elective surgeries

Medical operations that can be scheduled in advance are called elective surgeries. At the beginning of 2022, around 200 million patients around the world were waiting to have such procedures performed, according to a study published in the scientific journal The Lancetwith the participation of researchers from the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRAC/Centrinho) of the University of São Paulo (USP) in Bauru.

In order to strengthen the performance of procedures and reduce increasing delays, scientists have developed and validated a Surgical Preparedness Index (SPI), a tool that specifically assesses elective surgery and anesthesia system preparation. To this end, the researchers listed 23 globally relevant indicators of surgical preparation in four domains: facilities, personnel, prioritization and processes.

According to the study, the application of the index makes it possible to identify targets and support public policies and investments at regional and local levels. The researchers further suggest that hospitals should urgently implement the annual assessment of the indicator and create local action plans to strengthen elective surgical services.

Although the wait for elective surgeries has been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, scholars point out that this is just one of the factors impacting the service.

In the world, epidemics of influenza and Ebola virus also represented significant effects on the performance of procedures in the last decade. In addition, natural phenomena associated with climate change and conflict situations can also threaten the course of the system.

“The backlog of patients awaiting elective procedures is now one of the most pressing challenges for global health in the next ten years,” the researchers highlight.

Scientists say that the methodology developed during the pandemic was designed to be applicable to any context of pressure in the health system. The study points out that concerted efforts to address surgical preparation will be essential to address growing delays and mitigate harm to patients awaiting elective surgery.

“Improving preparedness will likely strengthen elective surgical services against future external shocks and support scaling up of surgery to meet growing demands. Therefore, the SPI supports an area of ​​high priority for the World Health Organization for continued progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3. [da Organização das Nações Unidas]: Health and Well-being”, the researchers point out.