From zero service coverage to redundant service delivery, Infonaut is working with the Central CCAC and community agency partners to track the locations, gaps, and overlaps of the health service providers within their region.

This project was based on previous efforts to create geographic information for the innovative service access initiative “Doorways to Care” (DWTC). DWTC involves the Central CCAC services and also the many community support provider agencies including: day programs, social work, recreation, transportation, delivered meals and home health.

Working directly with the service providers, Infonaut asked them to self-identify their delivery area.

The way this self-identification was done demonstrates the versatility of Infonaut’s solutions. Providers did not have to become familiar with any new technology, instead they were able to draw the boundary around their delivery area on a hard-copy version of the map. Literally outlining their service region with a coloured pencil.

Infonaut then translated the hard-copy maps into boundary files, digitally delineating the service area for each provider and service type.

Different service providers may use different methods to keep track of their geographic boundaries, but it all becomes consistent when you draw it on a map.

The process Infonaut used to make this data available to all of the twenty-one DWTC organizations (including the CCAC) in a GIS-format is very simple, easily replicable, and aligns existing data in dramatic way.

Infonaut will enable the Central LHIN’s DWTC network to understand when an under-populated area is receiving a higher than required level of service, when a heavily populated area is receiving a lower than adequate level of service, as well as all the combinations in-between. Overlapping service areas are immediately apparent, as are areas which are receiving no service at all.

Efficiency in the day-to-day operations of community agencies is also supported by this project. Using postal code data, the DWTC members can more efficiently match calls requesting service with the nearest service provider. This is especially useful for services which are targeted to elderly or disabled clients, where proximity may be a significant factor in how comfortable they are accessing the services, as well as influencing the “feel” factor — how satisfied the clients are overall with their services.

In addition to the more obvious benefits, the maps have a number of bonus applications. DWTC agencies will now, for instance, have the opportunity to make their services more eco-friendly — by using the geographic data to determine optimal routes within delivery areas. Improved efficiency on car-based services, such as the meals-on-wheels program, saves the volunteer drivers excess driving time, saves the program gas and depreciation expenses, and makes the program greener and more effective.

For details on how to create a similar service provider map for your area, contact Hugh Williams at hwilliams@infonaut.ca.

Catch up on the latest news and newest products from Infonaut in our Spring 2008 newsletter. Read about our Infectious Disease Simulation Tool, meet our new VP of Business Development, find out where you can see Infonaut live in the next few months, discover our Hospital Intelligent Tracking Tool, and much more.

Read it all online here.