title: Hemodialysis services: are public policies turned to guaranteeing the access?
abstract: The increasing incidence of chronic renal failure in Brazil and the consequential expansion of hemodialysis as a choice for treatment in final stage have to be taken into account to guarantee access to those in need. The ecological study conducted in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, in 2012, using data from the Brazilian Health Informatics Department (DATASUS) and from the analysis of medical records in 12 clinics, identified and mapped patients on hemodialysis, the distance they travelled and the estimated number of patients. The prevalence of hemodialysis patients in Mato Grosso do Sul State, about 55 per 100,000 inhabitants, is similar to the national average. The analyses indicated concentration of patients in counties with clinics and also geographical gaps that generate displacement of over 100km for more than 16% of patients. The results point to the necessity of strengthening public policies that consider, for decision-making, the decentralization of service, the expansion of home care and the follow-up education for professionals.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ana Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Barbieri
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, Brasil.
authors.forename: Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima Meinberg
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Cheade
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brasil.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Secretaria de Saúde de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brasil.
authors.forename: Daniel Henrique
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Tsuha
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brasil.
authors.forename: Kássio Costa
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial, Campo Grande, Brasil.
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rasi
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brasil.
authors.forename: Antonio Conceição
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Paranhos Filho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D015995:Prevalence; D011640:Public Policy; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult