Implementing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into VHA Home Based Primary Care

•We implement and evaluate the use of GIS mapping to improve program utilization, management, and efficiency in VHA Home-Based Primary Care.•GIS mapping can be an effective tool for home care nurses to better plan and manage home bound clients more efficiently.•The project will be of special interes...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geriatric nursing (New York) 2020-05, Vol.41 (3), p.282-289
Main Authors: Lind, Jason D., Fickel, Jacqueline, Cotner, Bridget A., Katzburg, Judith R., Cowper-Ripley, Diane, Fleming, Marguerite, Ong, Michael K., Bergman, Alicia A., Bradley, Sarah E., Tubbesing, Sarah A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Chronic Disease - therapy
Feasibility Studies
Female
Geographic Information Systems
Health Personnel - organization & administration
Health Personnel - trends
Home based primary care
Home Care Services - organization & administration
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Nursing
Primary health care
Primary Health Care - organization & administration
Program Evaluation
Quality Improvement
United States
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans
Veterans - psychology
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Summary:•We implement and evaluate the use of GIS mapping to improve program utilization, management, and efficiency in VHA Home-Based Primary Care.•GIS mapping can be an effective tool for home care nurses to better plan and manage home bound clients more efficiently.•The project will be of special interest to home care nurses. The Veteran's Health Administration (VHA) Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) program provides comprehensive in-home primary care services to elderly Veterans with complex chronic medical conditions. Nurses have prominent roles in HBPC including as program leaders, primary care providers and nurses who make home visits. Delivery of primary care services to patients in their homes can be challenging due to travel distances, difficult terrain, traffic, and adverse weather. Mapmaking with geographic information systems (GIS) can support optimization of resource utilization, travel efficiency, program capacity, and management during normal operations, and patient safety during disasters. This paper reports on the feasibility, acceptability and outcomes of an initiative to implement GIS mapmaking in VHA HBPC programs. A mixed method evaluation assessed extent of adoption and identified facilitators and barriers to uptake. Results indicate that GIS mapping in VHA HBPC is feasible and can increase effectiveness and efficiency of VHA HBPC nurses.
ISSN:0197-4572
1528-3984
DOI:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2019.10.010