ABSTRACT
Like many countries, Brazil is facing changes in demographic and epidemiological patterns, rapidly shifting towards an aging population and predominantly non-communicable diseases. In 2013, there were more than 44,000 health centers, about 41,000 specialty clinics, and 6,600 inpatient facilities in Brazil. Responding to a demand from the Ministry of Health to address long-standing issues of quality of care and patient safety, the Collaborative Center for Quality of Care and Patient Safety (Proqualis) was launched in 2009 by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, a leading scientific and health research institute linked to the ministry. Proqualis applies knowledge management (KM) strategy directed at healthcare according to Guptill's framework, which includes five components: ommunities of practice, content management, knowledge and capability transfer, performance results tracking, and technology and support infrastructure. Health systems must be able to evolve to meet the challenges of constant change. The Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) has already moved toward becoming an integrated and patient-centered care organization.
