Evaluation of the Hospital Information System how tool for the malaria surveillance in Amazônia Legal. Brazil, 1998-2005

Backgound and Objectives: The Hospital Information System of the Brazilian National Health System (SIH/SUS) is a system geared to the management of hospital environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the SIH/SUS how a tool for the malaria surveillance in Amazonia Legal. Methods: Were reviewed the records of hospital admissions caused by malaria of the SIH/SUS in the Amazonia Legal through January 1st, 1999 to December 31th, 2005. The evaluation was based on Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results: Hospital admissions caused by malaria represent 0.98% (118,775) of total admissions followed the International Classification of Disease, by place of residence during the period in the Amazonia Legal, 41% (48,674) was recorded as unspecified malaria. Were recorded 150 deaths, and 100% for unspecified malaria. The curve of the rate of hospitalization is downward, 0.96% in 1998, 0.60% in 2000 and 0.46% in 2005.The costs to the Brazilian National Health System of the hospital admissions caused by unspecified malaria was R$ 7,595,701.36. Conclusion: The overall results of the evaluations of attributes and the response that the system provides for effective surveillance of the disease, make the system useful. It should establish a routine operation of this system as a source of information in the surveillance health services. KEYWORDS: Malaria, Surveillance. Hospitalization. Evaluation. Information System.