Development of a hospital epidemiological surveillance program for patients with HIV-AIDS in the clinic

Abstract

An Epidemiological Surveillance program was carried out, which consisted of the creation of databases in the Epi Info version 6 program, in which the information of 157 HIV positive patients, new from the year 1996, from the clinic of the Guatemalan Association for the Prevention and Control of AIDS at the San Juan de Dios General Hospital. The first or baseline database collects information about demographic, economic data, risks, support networks, referral, and the patient's condition when they arrive at the clinic after learning their diagnosis. The second database or the general evaluation of the patient, with information about weight, temperature, Karnofsky scale and reason for visit, for each patient. The third database, or laboratory tests, provided results on the tests that were performed on the third visit and those that were performed on repeat visits. These included complete hematology, transaminase tests, urea nitrogen, creatinine, Syphilis testing (VDRL, FTABS), Surface Antigen, antitoxoplasma, and microbiological examinations (cultures and stains). The fourth database or patient follow-up information, had information about symptoms and signs, events associated with AIDS, treatments, procedures, radiological studies, hospitalizations, special examinations such as Pap smears and CD4 counts, the final event was also recorded in the deceased patients.   Through the databases it was possible to have a file of all the patient information, the Interaction of the databases allowed us to have a general view of the patient, individually and collectively. In this way, obtaining the general profile of the patients, the general characteristics of the disease and the most relevant aspects of the patients living with HIV/AIDS who attended the clinic in 1996.