ABSTRACT
We address the problem of designing new networks for the delivery of public health care services in the United States. The paper is based on a case study design conducted with the Fulton County Health Department (Atlanta, GA). The research contribution this paper makes is twofold. First, it presents a planning methodology to deliver health care services through a mix of fixed health centers, satellite facilities, and mobile facilities. Second, it gives insights on how to use geographic information systems to design new health care service networks.
Subject(s)
Health Planning/methods , Management Information Systems , Public Health Administration/methods , Community Networks/organization & administration , Community Networks/statistics & numerical data , Delivery of Health Care/methods , Delivery of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Georgia , Health Planning/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Planning Techniques , Public Health Administration/statistics & numerical data , United StatesSubject(s)
Health Care Reform/organization & administration , Information Systems/trends , Models, Organizational , State Health Plans/trends , Decision Support Systems, Management/trends , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/trends , Employment , Health Care Coalitions , Health Care Reform/trends , Health Facility Merger/trends , Multi-Institutional Systems/trends , Organizational Innovation , Practice Management, Medical/trends , Telemedicine/trends , United StatesABSTRACT
Systems approaches have been important in planning and evaluating emergency medical services (EMS) systems. However, maximal use of systems approaches are limited by small political boundaries, the lack of user-friendly systems tools, and the need for EMS planning staffs who are familiar with these systems tools. Developing technology, particularly communications, will continue to have a great impact on EMS delivery. In addition, the need is seen for continuing advances in systems concepts, and in particular, the promotion and incorporation of health and prevention of injury as systems concepts.
Subject(s)
Emergency Medical Services/trends , Health Services Research/trends , Regional Medical Programs/legislation & jurisprudence , Emergencies , Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems , Emergency Medical Services/legislation & jurisprudence , Emergency Medical Services/organization & administration , Systems Analysis , United StatesABSTRACT
Academic programs that attract and train health systems management professionals need the help of the profession working through our technical societies. We need to seek ways to interest IE and other faculty in these programs. Interactions between health care institutions and academic programs can be an important way for students to discover the wealth of opportunities that exist in health systems management.
Subject(s)
Ergonomics , Hospital Administration/education , Psychology, Industrial/education , Curriculum , Societies , United StatesABSTRACT
This article describes a randomized control field experiment that was used to evaluate the impact of an organized volunteer-based emergency first-responder system in 36 rural, medically underserved communities in central Georgia. The system created an information network within communities, which allowed rapid contact with trained resident volunteers when emergencies occurred. The evaluation examined selected environmental variables related to creating an information network and their effect on the general public's willingness to use a first responder for medical emergencies. Measurements of community awareness and attitudes were made using a household telephone survey conducted immediately before project initiation, 3 months and 13 months after implementation. Willingness to use the system was greatest for individual respondents living in communities with less than 800 population and who were participants in the social network of the community. Implications for administrating this type of project through statewide EMS systems are discussed.
Subject(s)
Emergency Medical Services/organization & administration , Medically Underserved Area , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Adult , Data Collection , Emergencies , Female , Georgia , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Rural Population , Socioeconomic Factors , VolunteersABSTRACT
An experimental emergency first-responder system was introduced in 36 small rural Georgia communities as a means for addressing inadequate access to emergency medical services for these communities. A prospective evaluation was designed to address the most efficient and effective means to organize, implement, and administrate such a program on a regional basis. Key to the program were community-selected residents who served as Emergency Medical Coordinators (EMCs) and performed as first responders, information sources on emergency care, and system organizers. The evaluation examined the process of organizing the program through local government versus voluntary group sponsors in terms of response and participation by communities and their ability to select effective EMCs. It assessed the effectiveness of a set of criteria for selecting residents as EMCs against three sets of performance measures encompassing first-responder skills and activities which maintained public awareness and program visibility. Critical to program success was the degree of sponsor involvement in selecting EMCs.
