The Brazil Medical Sanitary Assistance Survey (AMS) 2009 surveyed all health institutions in the country that provide individual or collective health assistance services. The sample size was 105,270 establishments, including inpatient and outpatient facilities, public and private, dental clinics, mixed units, laboratories, and community clinics. 

The AMS surveyed the number of health facilities, the category and type of service offered, the volume of hospitalization, and the condition of medical equipment. The 2009 survey included data collection on financial flows of health services in Brazil, including sales, expenses, and taxes.

Report tabulations provided national numbers as well as data for over 5,500 municipalities and all 26 Federation Units in Brazil. Tables listed the number of beds for each facility, specialized medical services available, and information about health care personnel. Total admissions for health facilities are broken down by Federation Unit.