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

• 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
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2019.10.010

•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.