title: [Indicators of efficiency in outpatient consultation of a third-level pediatric hospital].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In order to ensure a high-quality medical attention, and due to the limited material resources, the medical audit has become an important tool in modern medical management. The field of third-level outpatient consultation has to support the first and the second levels, which is the reason why the management must follow the specific indicators that reflect the development and the efficiency of this process. In this context the objective of this work is to report the behaviour of the indicators of efficacy in the outpatient clinic of a third-level pediatric hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  The statistic records presented by the Medical-Operative System of Information from 2000 to 2005 were reviewed and the data of the total of medical examinations (in general and in every shift) were taken out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of medical examinations shows a decrease in the period, but with a larger number of first-time examinations. Some shifts in particular are affected in the indicators by the complexity of the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The indicators of discharge/ first-time and subsequent/first-time show a tendency to the fulfillment of the norm. The linked factors that modify an indicator must be considered when analysing it.
authors.affiliation: Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. drarias@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arias-Gómez
authors.forename: Carlos David
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: González-Lara
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care