[Premature and avoidable mortality in the San Carlos University Hospital (SCUH)].
We propose the inclusion of deaths due to appendicitis, abdominal hernia, cholecystitis and cholelithiasis and complications occurring during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium as causes of death amenable to medical intervention occurring strictly in the hospital setting (MIPSE). We have carried out a descriptive longitudinal study with the yearly mortality series due to MIPSE and no MIPSE caused in the HUSC (1980-1990). The specific mortality rates were of 0.01 per 100 discharges for MIPSE causes and 1.61 per 100 discharges for no MIPSE causes. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.005). Both series showed a significantly declining tendency. Once the deaths were arranged under their respective headings, we observed a general decreasing tendency that was only statistically significant for abdominal hernias, whereas there was a rising tendency for deaths due to appendicitis. The knowledge of the evolution of hospital MIPSE is a interesting sign of alarm of malfunctioning health services. We believe that a consensus is necessary to elaborate a list of strictly hospitality causes of MIPSE.
de Juan García
S
S
Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Universitario San Carlos.
Fernández Pérez
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D013030:Spain