SUS in nuclear medicine in Brazil: analysis and comparison of data provided by Datasus and CNEN.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the outpatient access to nuclear medicine procedures by means of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), analyzing the correspondence between data provided by this system and those from Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear (CNEN) (National Commission of Nuclear Energy).


METHODS
Data provided by Datasus regarding number of scintillation chambers, outpatient procedures performed from 2008 to 2012, administrative responsibility for such procedures, type of service providers and outsourced services were retrieved and evaluated. Also, such data were compared with those from institutions certified by CNEN.


RESULTS
The present study demonstrated that the system still lacks maturity in terms of correct data input, particularly regarding equipment available. It was possible to list the most common procedures and check the growth of the specialty along the study period. Private centers are responsible for most of the procedures covered and reimbursed by SUS. However, many healthcare facilities are not certified by CNEN.


CONCLUSIONS
Datasus provides relevant data for analysis as done in the present study, although some issues still require attention. The present study has quantitatively depicted the Brazilian reality regarding access to nuclear medicine procedures offered by/for SUS.
PhD, Researcher at the Radiopharmacy Center of Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Lorena
L
Pozzo
Specialization in Nuclear and Legal Medicine, MD, Physician I at Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo Octavio Frias de Oliveira (Icesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
George
G
Coura Filho
PhD, Manager - Management of Research and Development, Radiopharmacy Center of Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
João Alberto
JA
Osso Júnior
Master, Technologist at Radiopharmacy Center of Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN/CNEN-SP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Peterson Lima
PL
Squair
Gamma camera; Nuclear medicine; SUS