[Medical audit: prenatal care program in a health center in Southern Brazil].

INTRODUCTION A medical audit on the prenatal care program in the Vila Municipal Health Center, Pelotas, RS, Brazil, was described with the purpose of verifying the aspects of the medical process and improving the program's effectiveness. METHODS Data from prenatal specific records were collected. Pregnant women with delivery due date in 1997 and in the first semester of 1998 were included in the study. Women registered in the program when they were 4-month pregnant and who had had at least 5 visits were also enrolled. Bivariate analysis was used to detect health care indicators. RESULTS A total of 73 pregnant women were registered in the program in 1997 and 75 in 1998. In 1997, the average number of medical visits was 5.2, while in 1998 this average was 6.2. The difference between the means was statistically significant (p<0.05). Some medical process indicators were analysed to verify the quality of the care. CONCLUSION The use of the epidemiological method to organize health services was discussed. This type of study requires few resources and time and it can provide guidelines to health service actions.