Strategic Point-of-Care Requirements of Hospitals and Public Health for Preparedness in Regions At Risk.

OBJECTIVES: 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 following 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.

Enhancing crisis standards of care using innovative point-of-care testing.

Objective: To identify strategies with tactics that enable point-of-care (POC) testing (medical testing at or near the site of care) to effectively improve outcomes in emergencies, disasters, and public health crises, especially where community infrastructure is compromised.

Design: Logic model-critical path-feedback identified needs for improving practices. Reverse stress analysis showed POC should be integrated, responders should be properly trained, and devices should be staged in small-world networks (SWNs).