Mobile prehospital emergency care: an analysis of implementation in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Mobile prehospital care is a key component of emergency care. The aim of this study was to analyze the implementation of the State of Rio de Janeiro's Mobile Emergency Medical Service (SAMU, acronym in Portuguese). The methodology employed included document analysis, visits to six SAMU emergency call centers, and semistructured interviews conducted with 12 local and state emergency care coordinators.

The current scenario of emergency care policies in Brazil.

Background: The regulation of emergency care has featured prominently in Brazil's federal health agenda since the 2000s. The aim of this study was to review up to the present day the implementation of the National Emergency Care Policy.

Methods: The methods employed were documental review, analysis of official data and 11 interviews conducted with federal, state and local managers.