Effectiveness of the Initial Relief for the Patients Receiving Adverse Medical Practice from Health Service Under the National Health Security Act B.E.2545 in a Northeastern Province

Abstract

           This research was based on descriptive research. Its objective was to explore the effectiveness, measures and problems of the initial relief for the patients who received adverse medical practice from health service under the National Health Security Act B.E.2545 in a Northeastern province of Thailand. The data of the patients who received adverse medical practice from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2011 was retrieved from the provincial health office (n = 35). In-depth interviews had been done in three groups namely, the injured (n = 10), health service provider and health insurance officer (n = 10). Then, the data has been analyzed by descriptive statistics. The study revealed that during the specific period, 71.4% occurred at the community hospitals and 48.6% of the injured were in the service of Obstetrics and Gynecology unit and 51.4% were classified to the catastrophic level of disability or death. The 88.6% of the cases were investigated by the committee within 30 days after received the petition. The initial relief was granted to 71.4% of the total number. The total amount to pay for the initial relief was 3,115,000 baht (124,000 baht per head) and 88.0% of the injured received the initial relief within 60 days after the inquiry.