Assessment of care for diabetes Mellitus in the integrated center for diabetes and hypertension of Barbalha-Ceará

This is a single case study that aimed to assess the structure, the process and the outcome of diabetes care in the Integrated Center for Diabetes and Hypertension of Barbalha-CE, Brazil. The sample consisted of 108 medical records of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and nine professionals involved in diabetes care. Data collection was carried out from July to December 2011, using three sources of evidence: medical records, maps and direct observation. For the analysis, we used the Health Care Evaluation proposed by Donabedian (1980). Regarding the characterization of users, we verified that 85.2% were female, median age of 67 years, with median treatment time of 8 years, 97.7% had hypertension, 91.6% were in endocrinology follow-up, 46.3% were using oral antidiabetic associated with antihypertensive and insulin, 24.1% aspirin and 23.1% statins. Regarding the component structure, the physical structure partly contradicts the recommendations of the National Agency for Sanitary Vigilance, therefore inadequate to fully meet the needs of users and professionals. As for the material resources, medicines and supplies, they met the needs concerning the existing quantities. Regarding the component process, we verified that nursing consultations are not based on the assistance methodology; medical consultations are centered on the complaint-behavior relationship; and nutrition consultations in the plan prescription and nutrition education. Guidelines on eating were offered to the users by nurses and doctors, focusing on restriction of salt, sugar, fat and carbohydrates decrease, while nutritionists approached aspects of the food groups, their replacements and regularity of mealtimes. Only the endocrinologist advised about physical activity. Regarding the guidelines on medication, nurses were the main responsible. We identified gaps inherent to the offer of group educational guidelines to users by health professionals. The foot examination was not part of the assistance of endocrinologists and nurses. The nurse assistants and technicians performed the verification of blood glucose, blood pressure, body weight and height. The receptionist and general services assistant played part of their technical skills, while the nurse assistants and technicians presented the highest number of medical records, followed by doctors. Although the register of nutrition consultations has proved incipient and the nursing consultations have not fully reached the records, the register of blood pressure, blood glucose and weight measurements are established practices in the daily routine of the center. The register of height and body mass index was incipient, while waist circumference was nonexistent. Regarding the foot and eye examination, the registration rates were low in the investigated period. We found that the register of laboratory tests did not reach all the records investigated, but the register of guidelines on diet and physical activity presented significant percentage during the study period. There were gaps in records on the group educational strategies concerning the medical and non-medical treatment. Regarding the component outcome, we verified that in 2007 the service has met the requirement of the indicator LDL cholesterol 9%, A1c 9%, A1c < 7% e o LDL < 100mg/dl. Contudo, no ano de 2009, o único indicador alcançado foi o LDL < 100 mg/dl. Diante dos resultados encontrados e compreendendo a avalição em saúde como instrumento para tomada de decisão, ressalta-se a importância da atenção do gestor municipal, coordenação e profissionais em reestruturar o referido centro em face das fragilidades constatadas