Abstract
Objectives: This work aimed to study health resources and point-of-care (POC) testing requirements for urgent, emergency, and disaster care in Phang Nga Province, Thailand; to determine instrument design specifications through a direct needs assessment survey; to describe POC test menus useful in the small-world network; and to assess strategies for preparedness after the 2004 tsunami. METHODS: We surveyed medical professionals in community hospitals, a regional hospital, and the Naval Base Hospital and officials at the offices of Provincial Public Health and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Questions covered (a) demographics and test requirements, (b) POC needs, (c) device design specifications, and (d) pathogen detection options. Respondents scored choices. Scores determined priorities. Results: Respondents selected complete blood cell count, electrolytes/chemistry, blood type, oxygen saturation (by pulse oximeter), hematocrit, and microbiology as top priorities and preferred direct blood sampling with cassettes. Cardiac biomarkers were important in alternate care facilities. Staphylococcus aureus, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and hepatitis B virus were top infectious disease problems. Temperature, vibration, humidity, and impact shock were 4 important environmental conditions during extreme conditions. Conclusions: Point-of-care testing can be used on a daily basis for competency and efficiency. Familiarity improves preparedness. Instrument designs must anticipate user preferences and environment stresses. The results show how a region at risk can adapt its small-world network. Point-of-care testing has become an important risk-reducing modality for crises and works equally well in low-resource settings to speed the delivery of routine and urgent care.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 114-118 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Point of Care |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 2012 |
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Keywords
- and survey
- Community hospital
- device design
- diagnostic testing
- disaster
- emergency
- needs assessment
- pathogens
- Phang Nga
- primary care unit
- regional hospital
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nursing(all)
Cite this
Strategic point-of-care requirements of hospitals and public health for preparedness in regions at risk. / Kost, Gerald J; Katip, Pratheep; Curtis, Corbin M.
In: Point of Care, Vol. 11, No. 2, 06.2012, p. 114-118.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Strategic point-of-care requirements of hospitals and public health for preparedness in regions at risk
AU - Kost, Gerald J
AU - Katip, Pratheep
AU - Curtis, Corbin M.
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - Objectives: This work aimed to study health resources and point-of-care (POC) testing requirements for urgent, emergency, and disaster care in Phang Nga Province, Thailand; to determine instrument design specifications through a direct needs assessment survey; to describe POC test menus useful in the small-world network; and to assess strategies for preparedness after the 2004 tsunami. METHODS: We surveyed medical professionals in community hospitals, a regional hospital, and the Naval Base Hospital and officials at the offices of Provincial Public Health and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Questions covered (a) demographics and test requirements, (b) POC needs, (c) device design specifications, and (d) pathogen detection options. Respondents scored choices. Scores determined priorities. Results: Respondents selected complete blood cell count, electrolytes/chemistry, blood type, oxygen saturation (by pulse oximeter), hematocrit, and microbiology as top priorities and preferred direct blood sampling with cassettes. Cardiac biomarkers were important in alternate care facilities. Staphylococcus aureus, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and hepatitis B virus were top infectious disease problems. Temperature, vibration, humidity, and impact shock were 4 important environmental conditions during extreme conditions. Conclusions: Point-of-care testing can be used on a daily basis for competency and efficiency. Familiarity improves preparedness. Instrument designs must anticipate user preferences and environment stresses. The results show how a region at risk can adapt its small-world network. Point-of-care testing has become an important risk-reducing modality for crises and works equally well in low-resource settings to speed the delivery of routine and urgent care.
AB - Objectives: This work aimed to study health resources and point-of-care (POC) testing requirements for urgent, emergency, and disaster care in Phang Nga Province, Thailand; to determine instrument design specifications through a direct needs assessment survey; to describe POC test menus useful in the small-world network; and to assess strategies for preparedness after the 2004 tsunami. METHODS: We surveyed medical professionals in community hospitals, a regional hospital, and the Naval Base Hospital and officials at the offices of Provincial Public Health and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation. Questions covered (a) demographics and test requirements, (b) POC needs, (c) device design specifications, and (d) pathogen detection options. Respondents scored choices. Scores determined priorities. Results: Respondents selected complete blood cell count, electrolytes/chemistry, blood type, oxygen saturation (by pulse oximeter), hematocrit, and microbiology as top priorities and preferred direct blood sampling with cassettes. Cardiac biomarkers were important in alternate care facilities. Staphylococcus aureus, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and hepatitis B virus were top infectious disease problems. Temperature, vibration, humidity, and impact shock were 4 important environmental conditions during extreme conditions. Conclusions: Point-of-care testing can be used on a daily basis for competency and efficiency. Familiarity improves preparedness. Instrument designs must anticipate user preferences and environment stresses. The results show how a region at risk can adapt its small-world network. Point-of-care testing has become an important risk-reducing modality for crises and works equally well in low-resource settings to speed the delivery of routine and urgent care.
KW - and survey
KW - Community hospital
KW - device design
KW - diagnostic testing
KW - disaster
KW - emergency
KW - needs assessment
KW - pathogens
KW - Phang Nga
KW - primary care unit
KW - regional hospital
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84862205934&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84862205934&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/POC.0b013e31825a2442
DO - 10.1097/POC.0b013e31825a2442
M3 - Article
VL - 11
SP - 114
EP - 118
JO - Point of Care
JF - Point of Care
SN - 1533-029X
IS - 2
ER -