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Objective: to describe the epidemic curves and analyze the epidemiological profile of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in a triple border city. Method: descriptive-quantitative. The population consisted of COVID-19 cases that required hospitalization, analyzing variables such as: age, gender, race/color, city where they lived, occupation, pregnant woman, institutionalized patient and evolution. Descriptive statistical analysis and analysis of variance and chi-square tests were used. Results: four epidemic curves were identified in the studied period. Among hospitalized cases, males predominated (55%). Cure was the most frequent outcome in curves 1, 2 and 4, but with no statistical difference (p = 0.2916). Curve 3 showed a higher frequency of deaths (41.70%) in relation to cures (38.77%). The mean ages were significantly different between the curves, with curve 4 having the lowest mean age. Conclusion: it was concluded that the epidemic curves were influenced by different situations; unvaccinated population, easing of restrictive measures, reopening of the Brazil-Paraguay border, interruption of control actions, crowding of people and circulation of new variants of the disease. Through the epidemiological profile of hospitalized patients, it was concluded that being male, of mixed race/color, aged between 61 and 85 years, and being deprived of freedom were associated with hospitalization and the occurrence of death.

Objective: to understand the perspective of health professionals on the concepts of Clinical Economics and Patient Advocate. Method: a qualitative study with health professionals. Data were collected in June/2017 from the question: What is your perception of the concept of Clinical Economics and Patient Advocate? Qualitative data were analyzed using the Collective Subject Discourse. Results: the speeches pointed out that it deals with innovative, challenging and applicable proposals for nursing and health care. Patient Advocate and the Clinical Economics concept can support the decisions of the health team/service managers. The ideas can enhance the integration of the teams, resolve conflicts, bring together different professional categories and mitigate the risks of legal, financial and ethical responsibilities regarding health care. Conclusion: the concepts was understood as fundamental and applicable, since the organization survive with adequate human, financial and material management. Descriptors: Nursing. Patient safety. Health economics. Patient care team.