THE BASIC ATTENTION UNITS AS AN EMERGENCY ENTRANCE: A CASE REPORT OF COMMUNITY ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA

The Primary Health Care is responsible to receive its users with either acute or chronic conditions. The spontaneous demand and emergency consultations in the Basic Health Units (BHU) are characterized by teamwork, prior knowledge of the population and follow-up consultations with the same health personnel, establishing a connection with the patients, which best characterizes the continuity care. The present work proposes a demonstration of how important a BHU is for the identification of acutely ill patients and continued care of chronic cases, creating an identity with the covered area. Initially, an urgent consultation was performed and, after in-hospital therapy, a continued and comprehensive follow-up care was implemented to a patient with Community Acquired Pneumonia. L.B.F.S., male, 17 years, complained with severe cough and large amounts of yellowish sputum for 14 days, associated with dyspnea and continuous fever of 39 0C with chills. Blood pressure of 90x60 mmHg. Respiratory auscultation: vesicular murmur in both hemithoraces, asymmetric, with a reduction in left hemithorax base, fine crackles, wheezing and snoring in left hemithorax base. The BHU played a key role in regulating the patient to tertiary care, despite the initial refusal imposed by hospital staff. Thus, the successful treatment and rehabilitation were results of a good relationship and trust between the health personnel and patient, combined with thorough physical examination. Therefore, the BHU acts as a universal entrance for the Brazilian Unified Health System users, regardless of the complaint.