Abstract

Monitoring 32, 468 patients receiving free antiretroviral treatment in Mexico with the information system "SALVAR"

E. Rodriguez-Nolasco, E. Bravo-Garcia, R. Niño-Vargas, C. Magis-Rodriguez

National Center for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS (CENSIDA). Mexico, Operational Research, Mexico, Mexico

Background: Since 2003, there are universal accesses to antiretroviral treatment against HIV/AIDS in Mexico. The Ministry of Health acquires and provides free drugs to people without social security. In 2007 it was created the System of Administration, Logistics and Security ARV (SALVAR), which is a computer system operated via the Internet throughout the country, for the registration and monitoring of all patients in treatment (http://www. salvar.salud.gob.mx).
Methods: The SALVAR system was programmed in PHP and stored in a SQL database Postgress. Using the security certificate 128-bit (SSL) ensures confidentiality and security of patient information. Those responsible for operating the system were trained in a National Workshop in Mexico City and a new version came into operation in May 2008.
Results: Until 31 December 2009, it has a record total of 32.468 patients receiving ARV in 134 medical units of the Ministry of Health. The 70.5% of patients are treated in hospitals and 29.5% in ambulatory care centers called CAPASITS. Of the total of registered patients found that 75.1% are male and 24.9% are women. Four of five patients have already registered recent values of CD4 testing and viral load, and of these 62.6% recorded as undetectable viral load. The average annual drug cost per patient was $ 3870 USD.
Conclusions: The SALVAR has built the first national database of patients with ARV in Mexico and is implemented in all medical units of the Ministry of Health. The SALVAR allows monitoring of patient outcomes, controlling inventory and purchasing schedule appropriately to ensure a timely supply of medicines.