[Implementation of AUGE plan for chronic renal failure patients. The implementation of Universal Access and Explicit Guaranties Plan (AUGE), generates longer waiting lists among patients with chronic renal failure].
BACKGROUND
An opportune, efficient and low cost medical attention should be provided to all patients, without discrimination. When the need for medical attention outweighs the available resources, permanently increasing waiting lists are generated. The aim of the Universal Access and Explicit Guaranties Plan (AUGE) is to attend selected patients in periods predefined by the health authority.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the first six months of implementation of AUGE plan for chronic renal failure in a public hospital of Santiago.


METHODS
As a health care quality monitoring system, the lapse between the generation of a nephrological consultation and the specialist assessment, is registered periodically. These lapses were evaluated before and after the AUGE plan implementation, for eligible and non eligible patients for the plan. Results were modeled according queue theory.


RESULTS
After three months of implementation, the AUGE plan prolongs waiting periods and increases the number of all patients seeking for nephrological attention.


CONCLUSIONS
According to these results AUGE plan will be successful only if its present functioning is modified and receives more financial resources.
González
Fernando
F
Sección de Nefrología, Departamento de Medicina Oriente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Servicio de Medicina, Hospital del Salvador, Santiago de Chile. fgonzalf@puc.cl
D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014850:Waiting Lists