Spatial implications associated with using Euclidean distance measurements and geographic centroid imputation in health care research.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine the effect of using Euclidean measurements and zip-code centroid geo-imputation versus more precise spatial analytical techniques in health care research.

Data sources

Commercially insured members from a southeastern managed care organization.

Study design

Distance from admitting inpatient facility to member's home and zip-code centroid (geographic placement) was compared using Euclidean straight-line and shortest-path drive distances (measurement technique).

Data collection

Administrative claims from October 2005 to September 2006.

Principal findings

Measurement technique had a greater impact on distance values compared with geographic placement. Drive distance from the geocoded address was highly correlated (r=0.99) with the Euclidean distance from the zip-code centroid.

Conclusions

Actual differences were relatively small. Researchers without capabilities to produce drive distance measurements and/or address geocoding techniques could rely on simple linear regressions to estimate correction factors with a high degree of confidence.

SUBMITTER: Jones SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2813451 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature