[Evaluation of the system of direct purchase and distribution of urinary incontinence pads in primary care centers].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of the pilot experience of direct purchase and distribution of incontinence diapers in primary health care centres of the Balearic Islands after 10 months of implementation.


METHODS
Comparison of diapers's public expenditures and use during 10 months of pilot experience (9/1/1994-6/30/1995: POSTC) to a same length period prior to pilot experience implementation (11/1/1993-8/31/1994: PREC).


METHODS
Primary health care centres of the Balearic Islands (Spain).


RESULTS
Monthly mean of packages used in the PREC period was 3,246 packages/month, whereas monthly mean of packages used in POSTC period was 4,541 packages/month. It means an increase of 1,295 packages/month. The mean price per package got by public tender was 4,426 ptas., nearly half of mean unit price per package paid through the usual dispensing system of medical prescription (8,583 ptas.), thus producing a saving of 4,157 ptas. per package. A decreasing trend to the monthly mean of diapers use of the PREC period was observed in the last months of the experience. The monthly expenditures in diapers was 27,790 milions ptas. in the PREC period and 21,024 milions ptas. during the POSTC period.


CONCLUSIONS
The expected increase in diapers use during the first year of implementation of this measure was 34.86%. Of this increase, 70.5% is attributed to development of stock in centres and the undergoing trend of diapers demand increase observed throughout the country.
del Castillo
M
M
Dirección Provincial del Insalud de Baleares y Gerencias de Atención Primaria de Mallorca, Menorca.
Pomar
J
J
Fortuny
G
G
Grifell
E
E
Pou
J
J
Arias
A
A
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016496:Incontinence Pads / Q000191:economics; D008521:Mediterranean Islands; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors
Evaluación del sistema de compra y dispensación directa de pañales absorbentes de orina en los centros de atención primaria.