Cost of hospital materials: the use of syringes in an Intensive Care Unit

Objective: to identify the average amount of syringes size 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 60 milliliters (ml) used in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Method: this is an exploratory and evaluative study on the cost of syringes used in an ICU with six beds of a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil. The data collection was carried out within the period from August to December 2010 and on February 2011, totaling seven days (a whole week) each month, corresponding to 42 days of observation, always starting from Monday, before the material was received in the sector, and finishing in the next week, before the new receipt of material. The technique used was the direct observation of the logistic process of syringes in the sector, as well as the documental analysis of material requisitions for obtaining the quantitative number of syringes requested, received, and used, the medical prescriptions, and the prices table of hospital materials of the Unique Health System (SUS). Two forms were used for data collection on the quantitative number of syringes and the materials cost. This research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of HUGG, under the Protocol 64/2010 and the CAE 0059.0.328.313-10. Results: the results pointed out a non-systematic and ineffective methodological process of controlling. Conclusion: the need for a higher knowledge on costs from nurses was revealed, they are professionals directly related to the use and management of this material. Descriptors: nursing; management of materials within a hospital; health care costs. RESUMO Objetivo: identificar a quantidade média das seringas de tamanhos 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 e 60 mililitros (ml) utilizadas na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI). Método: trata-se de um estudo exploratório e avaliativo sobre o custo das seringas utilizadas em uma UTI com seis leitos de um hospital universitário,na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de agosto a dezembro de 2010 e em fevereiro de 2011, totalizando sete dias (um ...