title: [Evolution and viability of an outpatient surgery center for cataract surgery on a large scale in a university hospital].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the number of surgeries performed in outpatient surgical center at a university hospital and to assess its financial viability during and after the interruption of the Cataract National Campaign in 2006.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analytical study between 2005 and 2009 at the Clinical Hospital of the University of São Paulo (HC-FMUSP) which evaluated the economic viability of the outpatient surgical center, the number of cataract surgeries performed and the number of surgeons present daily in that unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It would be necessary to perform at least 400 procedures monthly to ensure the financial viability of the outpatient surgical center. This number was lower than the expected in the years of 2008 and 2009 (average of 370.6 and 390.1 surgeries respectively). The number of cataract fellows decreased from 13 in 2005 to 3 in 2009.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main factor for the reduction in the number of cataract surgeries performed in the outpatient surgical center after 2006 was the difficulty of access of the population to the hospital due to restrictions on the development of screening projects. The increased use of the operating rooms by other clinics and the decrease in the admission of new surgeons, made the outpatient surgical center appropriate and viable for the new political-economic reality.
authors.affiliation: Hospital das Clinicas, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Newton
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kara-Junior
authors.forename: Rodrigo França de
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Espíndola
mesh_terms: D000867:Anterior Chamber; D001938:Brazil; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000191:economics; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000078329:Workforce