Using a geographic information system to enhance patient access to point-of-care diagnostics in a limited-resource setting

Abstract

BackgroundRapid and accurate diagnosis drives evidence-based care in health. Point-of-care testing (POCT) aids diagnosis by bringing advanced technologies closer to patients. Health small-world networks are constrained by natural connectivity in the interactions between geography of resources and social forces. Using a geographic information system (GIS) we can understand how populations utilize their health networks, visualize their inefficiencies, and compare alternatives.MethodsThis project focuses on cardiac care resource in rural Isaan, Thailand. A health care access analysis was created using ArcGIS Network Analyst 10.1 from data representing aggregated population, roads, health resource facilities, and diagnostic technologies. The analysis quantified cardiac health care access and identified ways to improve it using both widespread and resource-limited strategies.ResultsResults indicated that having diagnostic technologies closer to populations streamlines critical care paths. GIS allowed us to compare the effectiveness of the implementation strategies and put into perspective the benefits of adopting rapid POCT within health networks.ConclusionsGeospatial analyses derive high impact by improving alternative diagnostic placement strategies in limited-resource settings and by revealing deficiencies in health care access pathways. Additionally, the GIS provides a platform for comparing relative costs, assessing benefits, and improving outcomes. This approach can be implemented effectively by health ministries seeking to enhance cardiac care despite limited resources.

Geospatial Science and Point-of-Care Testing: Creating Solutions for Population Access, Emergencies, Outbreaks, and Disasters

“…Searches using IEEE Xplore did not yield additional relevant articles. In the interests of brevity, the reader can find detailed discussions of geospatial theory, software apps, and analytical techniques in Ferguson et al (28)(29)(30). Visual logistics illustrate several key concepts.…”

Guidelines for creating framework data for GIS analysis in low‐ and middle‐income countries

“…Although OpenStreetMap data have been used in other studies in which these data were confirmed as an accurate representation of what's on the ground Generating framework GIS data in data-poor settings 325 (Ferguson et al 2016), this was not the case for our study area, as illustrated by the huge data gaps in Figure 3. At the time of writing this paper, arrangements are underway to publish all the new data to the OpenStreetMap platform to serve as a contribution to a wider GIS audience needing access to data in the study area.…”

Geographical Accessibility to Glucose-6-Phosphate Dioxygenase Deficiency Point-of-Care Testing for Antenatal Care in Ghana

“…Using GIS to inform the implementation of health services has been shown to be useful [42][43][44]. GIS effectively enables the implementation of POC testing in health networks to streamline decision making at the POC [45]. Geospatial science has also been proven to be useful in creating solutions for population access to POC testing during emergencies, outbreaks, and disasters such as the present COVID-19 pandemic [46].…”

“…Geospatial science has also been proven to be useful in creating solutions for population access to POC testing during emergencies, outbreaks, and disasters such as the present COVID-19 pandemic [46]. Hence, GIS helps improve patient outcomes, time and money, ensure that the health networks are sufficiently resourced to deliver needed health services to the population [45]. Despite these strengths, there are several limitations worth noting such as our inability to include non-spatial factors in the analysis.…”