74% of public hospitals in ES do not have health or operating licenses; find out if they can work | Holy Spirit

A report carried out by the Court of Auditors of the State of Espírito Santo (TCE-ES) found several irregularities related to governance, organizational management and infrastructure in 35 public hospitals in the state: 74% of public hospitals in the State do not have an operating license issued by the Health Surveillancelike this 74% do not have an operating license issued by the Military Fire Department (CBMES).

Of this number, 18 are the responsibility of the state government and 17 of municipalities. The survey is aimed at identifying the main weaknesses that impact hospital efficiency.

Additionally, according to the court document, 45% of public hospitals mentioned in the report do not monitor and are unaware of patient waiting times waiting for outpatient care and exams.

According to the survey, 14 hospital units are in Greater Vitória and 21 are in the interior of the state. In the mapping, it was found that 69% (24 units) have an outpatient clinic – a space dedicated to minor dressings and surgeries, exams and first aid activities. Of the 35 evaluated, 11 monitor waiting times for first appointments and nine monitor waiting times for return appointments.

Hospitals mentioned in the report

According to the report, 46% of the 35 hospitals, that is, 16 of them, monitor waiting times for exams which, according to Resolution CIB/SUS-ES 072/2022, must range between 15 and 60 days, depending on the risk classification.

Regarding the lack of licenses and permits, the survey clarified that, of the 35 hospitals, nine reported that they have a Fire Department license, but five of them have expired.

Furthermore, nine hospitals mentioned in the report declared that they had a valid Health Surveillance license. However, four have irregular documents, with expired validity.

“Hospitals are expected to present, in a timely manner, in the case of future audits, documents that attest to compliance with the health requirements for the operation of their respective units”, says the report.

Given the data collected, the TCE-ES itself suggested that it be archived, as part of a procedural rite procedure. However, the Public Accounting Ministry of Espírito Santo (MPC-ES), through the opinion issued by the special accounting attorney Heron Carlos Gomes, requested the deepening of inspection, with the continuity of control actions.

The MPC was against the archiving and secrecy applied to part of the report, citing that the flaws are serious and compromise the quality of services provided to the population, putting the lives and safety of patients and health professionals at risk.

With the opinion of the Public Ministry of Accounts, the Court of Auditors announced that it will carry out an audit in hospital units, “with the aim of evaluating the performance of hospitals in Espírito Santo that presented the greatest risks”, as the court disclosed to the column of journalist Vilmara Fernandes, from the website A Gazeta.

In view of the report that highlights irregularities in public hospitals in Espírito Santo, the g1 sought out the State Department of Health (Sesa) to clarify whether the locations could be operating.

According to Sesa, in accordance with the Espírito Santo Health Code (Law 6,066/99), public hospitals managed by the State government do not need a health license. I.e, Even with the absence of documents, the hospital units analyzed can continue to operate normally, as long as they follow current health standards.

“It also establishes that they are monitored periodically by Health Surveillance, which happens in a planned manner throughout the Unified Health System (SUS) network. All state government hospitals have basic fire prevention projects and are being equipped with fire extinguishers , emergency lamps, sound warning lights, fire hydrants, emergency signage, among others, Sesa has 24-hour brigades in all its units”, he informed in a note.

According to the state ministry, for hospitals that do not have Fire Department licenses, there is a schedule of activities being carried out to issue a provisional license by the end of 2024.

Regarding monitoring the patient’s waiting time for outpatient care and exams, Sesa reported that control takes place directly in healthcare establishments.

According to lawyer Marlilson Sueiro, a specialist in Public Law, patients who have felt harmed by such irregularities, such as, for example, prolonged waiting times, have the right to seek their rights in court, as long as they prove the existence of the damage suffered and the cause and effect relationship in the face of the omissive conduct of hospital administration.

“In these cases, it is recommended that the person seek a trusted lawyer or the Public Defender’s Office, if applicable, to evaluate the specific case, and should take the evidence relevant to the case, such as, for example, a copy of the medical record “, explains Sueiro.

“If the hospital does not monitor the patient’s waiting time, there is the possibility of errors in care occurring, so that patients who require priority care have to wait longer than the recommended time for their care, which may result in worsening of the patient’s clinical condition or, even, the maintenance of symptoms for a period beyond what is reasonable”, concluded the specialist.

The report by the State Court of Auditors was made only with public hospitals, taking into account accreditation to the Unified Health System (SUS). Therefore, no private hospital was included in the survey.