Emergency and Urgent Health Care Network on scene: contingencies and production of care

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the possible transformations in health care management and production processes, in the context of practice, based on the Emergency and Urgent Health Care Network (RUE) policy. The research has a qualitative character and is characterized as a case study. Interviews were conducted with 16 health service managers in four municipalities of different population sizes. The material was analyzed with reference to the context of the Public Policy Cycle Approach practice. It is observed that the RUE is not recognized as a public policy, although some of its elements are identified, such as the implementation of Emergency Care Units, protocols, risk classification, new care technologies, regulatory arrangements, and lines of care. Looking at the ‘RUE on scene’ mainly points to three issues: the relationship between primary care and emergency doors in meeting spontaneous demand; the medical regulation of Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU), as a promoter of access and quality; and the (dis)continuity in health care. There is evidence of live movements and productions induced by the policy that qualify health care in urgent and emergency situations. However, inequities are maintained or produced, and the need for articulation between network components, although evoked, translates into fragile and non-regular connections.