Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
The benefits of treatment for many conditions are time dependent. The burden of these emergency care sensitive conditions (ECSCs) is especially high in low- and middle-income countries. Our objective was to analyze geospatial trends in ECSCs and characterize regional disparities in access to emergency care in Brazil.Methods
From publicly available datasets, we extracted data on patients assigned an ECSC-related ICD-10 code and on the country's emergency facilities from 2015-2019. Using ArcGIS, OpenStreetMap, and WorldPop, we created catchment areas corresponding to 180 minutes of driving distance from each hospital. We then used ArcGIS to characterize space-time trends in ECSC admissions and to complete an Origin-Destination analysis to determine the path from household to closest hospital.Findings
There were 1362 municipalities flagged as "hot spots," areas with a high volume of ECSCs. Of those, 69.7% were more than 180 minutes (171 km) from the closest emergency facility. These municipalities were primarily located in the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Espiríto Santo, Tocantins, and Amapá. In the North region, only 69.1% of the population resided within 180 minutes of an emergency hospital.Interpretations
Significant geographical barriers to accessing emergency care exist in certain areas of Brazil, especially in peri-urban areas and the North region. One limitation of this approach is that geolocation was not possible in some areas and thus we are likely underestimating the burden of inadequate access. Subsequent work should evaluate ECSC mortality data.Funding
This study was funded by the Duke Global Health Institute Artificial Intelligence Pilot Project.
SUBMITTER: Isaacson JE
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9903578 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Isaacson Julia Elizabeth JE Joiner Anjni Patel AP Kozhumam Arthi Shankar AS Caruzzo Nayara Malheiros NM de Andrade Luciano L Iora Pedro Henrique PH Costa Dalton Breno DB Vissoci Bianca Maria BM Sartori Marcos Luiggi Lemos MLL Rocha Thiago Augusto Hernandes TAH Vissoci Joao Ricardo Nickenig JRN
Lancet regional health. Americas 20210910
<h4>Background</h4>The benefits of treatment for many conditions are time dependent. The burden of these emergency care sensitive conditions (ECSCs) is especially high in low- and middle-income countries. Our objective was to analyze geospatial trends in ECSCs and characterize regional disparities in access to emergency care in Brazil.<h4>Methods</h4>From publicly available datasets, we extracted data on patients assigned an ECSC-related ICD-10 code and on the country's emergency facilities from ...[more]