Standardized approach to small bowel bleeding in a hierarchical healthcare network with varying levels of complexity

Background:

The systematized approach to patients with small bowel bleeding (SBB) can reduce risks and costs for both patients and the Unified Health System (SUS).

Aim:

Evaluate the evolution of the systematized approach to SBB in a regulated, hierarchically organized healthcare network of varying complexity.

Methods:

Analysis of the medical records of patients with SBB treated at a tertiary, public, and teaching hospital in two distinct periods: before the implementation of a specialized service and algorithm for SBB (2001–2014, group without algorithm—GSA) and after the establishment of a trained, dedicated team, availability of capsule endoscopy and enteroscopy (2015–2023, group with algorithm—GCA). Demographic, clinical, and care-related data from 184 patient records were collected and entered into the REDCap platform. Additionally, a cost analysis was conducted.

Results:

Among the 184 patients, 82 (45%) were in the GSA group and 102 (55%) in the GCA group. The average number of specific exams per patient was 7.19 in GSA and 6.37 in GCA (p=0.02, p<0.05). Blood transfusions were performed in 64 patients (78.05%) in GSA and 68 patients (66.67%) in GCA (p=0.05). The average time to reach diagnosis was 309.9 weeks in GSA and 75.37 weeks in GCA (p<0.01). The average hospital stay was 7.57 weeks in GSA and 2.55 weeks in GCA (p<0.01). In GSA, 19 patients (23.2%) died due to SBB, while in GCA only six did (5.9%) (p=0.001, p<0.05). The average cost was higher compared to GCA (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

The results of organizing a reference service for SBB care support are sufficient to subsidize the planning of services and regional healthcare networks.