Routing of patients with maxillofacial pathology in a metropolis: challenges and solutions

Abstract

Introduction. The high prevalence of dental diseases and their complications, congenital anomalies, traumatic injuries and various neoplasms of the maxillofacial region among children and adults necessitates the improvement of the medical care system. Purpose. Improvement of specialized medical care by optimizing the routing system for patients with maxillofacial pathology in a metropolis on the example of Moscow. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the GBUZ “Maxillofacial Hospital for War Veterans of the DZM”. A search was made for regulatory documents regulating the routing of patients with maxillofacial pathology. The statistical data of the specialized medical care provided to patients with maxillofacial pathology in institutions subordinate to the Moscow City Health Department for the period from January 2021 to December 2021 were analyzed. Results and discussion. The article presents a list of regulatory documents governing the routing of patients. The structure of diseases of the maxillofacial region among the children and adults of the city of Moscow was determined. Routing schemes for patients with planned and emergency maxillofacial pathology are given. Problems are identified and solutions are proposed, as well as the continuity of the provision of specialized care in organizations in the field of “maxillofacial surgery”. Conclusions. A well-functioning routing system will improve the timeliness, availability and quality of specialized medical care. In addition, an optimized routing system will contribute to proper planning and resource allocation in healthcare.