Abstract
Allocating Resources with GIS to Improve Community Health Status Track: Health and Human Services Author(s): Kimberly Beggs In a nationally unique situation, the Community Health Initiative receives hospital discharge information from the two Sangamon County, Illinois, hospitals--Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital--for use in community health planning. Initial data exports for 2001-2003 total one million records identifying patients by Census Tract, ICD-9 discharge diagnosis, total charges, payor type, stay length, age, sex, race, maritial status, and pharmaceutical information. The ICD-9 codes are used to correlate data elements by Census Tract. Maps generated identify "clusters" of chronic conditions sensitive to ambulatory care--asthma, hypertension, diabetes, etc. By narrowing the geographical focus, intervention efforts can be done on a "rifle" versus a "shotgun" approach, thus increasing the efficiency of the delivery system and its effectiveness. This permits measurement of effectiveness (health system change) on an ongoing basis and keeps resources focused on areas of highest need to achieve highest impact in the improvement of health status. Kimberly Beggs Community Health Initiative 700 N. 7th St., Suite B Springfield , IL 62702 US Phone: 217-753-3900 Fax: 217-753-4489 E-mail: kbeggs@spfldchi.org |
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