Hospital Regional do Oeste reports high patient transfer imbalance

Data from the first half of 2026 reveals that the Hospital Regional do Oeste (HRO) in Western Santa Catarina is sending three times as many patients to other hospitals as it receives via transfer. Between January and June, the HRO sent 327 patients to other facilities while receiving only 113.

Of the 683 transfer requests initiated by the HRO, only 48% were successful, with 45% being canceled. Sources indicate that a primary reason for these cancellations is the refusal of families to authorize transfers, often due to a preference for keeping relatives in Chapecó. This refusal contributes to bed occupancy issues, which in turn impacts the hospital's capacity to perform surgeries and manage new admissions.