Cerebral Palsy (CP) is defined as a non-progressive neurological condition of the motor development caused by disorders that occurred in the developing brain, leading to limitations in several systems. Providing integral health assistance means offering health services at all levels of care, meeting the existing needs of the population. However, the low quality of the services and accessibility problems demonstrate that the care model of the country can sometimes be inefficient. Asymmetries and flaws in the effectiveness of the current model often make it necessary for parents/guardians of patients with CP to search hospital care in Federative Units (FUs) other than the FU of residence.

Analyze the number of patients with Cerebral Palsy assisted who sought hospital care in Federative Units different from the FU of residence.

Descriptive study based on data from the information systems of the Ministry of Health on hospital admissions on a nationwide level. Data obtained were authorizations for hospitalization, FU where the establishment is located, FU where the patient resides and an indicator of care at a FU other than the location of residence. The FUs were also grouped in macroregions. Data were analyzed using the R software and presented in frequency measures.

A total of 8,785 inpatient admissions from patients with CP were registered in Brazil during 2019. The southeast region had the highest number of records, and the north had the lowest. Of the total number of inpatient admissions records, about 4.5% were from patients treated in a FU different from their FU of residence. ¼ of these records belonged to the Midwest region, which is the region that receives most patients from other locations; this region received patients from all regions of the country and from almost all states. The northern region did not register care for patients from any of the other regions; and the southern region registered only one. In the analysis by state, it was observed that, in general, states rarely receive patients residing in other states. The exception was the Federal District, which recorded that 65% of hospitalizations of patients with CP in establishments located in the district are residents of other states; Goiás is responsible for 35% of these admissions.

The Brazilian states do not receive many patients coming from other FU, and when they do, they are normally from close states. The North did not register attendances of patients not residing in the region; however, the other regions of the country admitted patients from the northern region. Unlike other states, the Federal District mainly serves patients residing in other locations.

It is possible that there is a difference in quality and aptitude of assistance for patients with CP between regions and states of Brazil, which leads these patients to be cared for in health facilities located in a FU different from their residence. These data can indicate which states need the attention of health managers, and actions that identify points of improvement for the service capacity.