RECALSEEN 2024. Resources and quality in the endocrinology and nutrition units of the National Health System of Spain.

OBJECTIVES RECALSEEN analyses the structure, activity and results of the Endocrinology and Nutrition Services and Units (S-U_EyN) of the Spanish National Health System (SNHS). This article presents data collected from the 2024 survey, as well as activity and outcome indicators from the SNHS Minimum Basic Data Set (CMBD) for 2007-2022. MATERIAL AND METHODS Descriptive cross-sectional study of S-U_EyN in general acute care hospitals of the SNHS. Data obtained through an ad hoc survey referring to data from 2023 and discharges from S-U_EyN recorded in the CMBD (2022) were used. RESULTS A total of 116 responses were obtained from S-U_EyN of 160 general acute care hospitals in the SNHS (72%). Fifty-six per cent of the S-U_EyN respondents were services or clinical management units. The average number of endocrinologists per S-U_EyN department was 8.4 (5.4), with an estimated rate of 2.9 endocrinologists per 100,000 inhabitants. In 74% of hospitals there is a Clinical Nutrition Unit (dependent on the S-U_EyN in 93% of cases) and 39% of S-U_EyNs have a day hospital. The portfolio of services offered by S-U_EyN is closely related to the complexity of the hospital. There is a significant trend to decline in hospitalisations for endocrine and nutritional diseases. Notable differences were found in resources, activity and outcomes between hospitals and autonomous communities. In relation to quality management and the implementation of good practices, there was still considerable room for improvement. The trend to worsening of short- and long-term complication indicators for diabetes mellitus in the period 2016-2022 should be analysed. CONCLUSIONS RECALSEEN provides relevant information on S-U_EyN and the evolution of endocrinology and nutrition care in the SNHS.