Optimizing nation-wide locations of dialysis centers: a geographic information system-based approach to improve healthcare accessibility and availability
Abstract Background Accessibility and availability are critical components of quality healthcare, particularly for dialysis patients requiring tri-weekly treatments. Inconveniently placed or oversubscribed dialysis centers contribute to widening healthcare disparities. This study aims to enhance equ...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Israel Journal of Health Policy Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-025-00704-5 |
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| author | Hanna Schroeder Chen Namimi-Halevi Osnat Luxenburg Ayelet Grinbaum Arizon Zach Tagar Michal Bromberg Vered H. Eisenberg |
| author_facet | Hanna Schroeder Chen Namimi-Halevi Osnat Luxenburg Ayelet Grinbaum Arizon Zach Tagar Michal Bromberg Vered H. Eisenberg |
| author_sort | Hanna Schroeder |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Accessibility and availability are critical components of quality healthcare, particularly for dialysis patients requiring tri-weekly treatments. Inconveniently placed or oversubscribed dialysis centers contribute to widening healthcare disparities. This study aims to enhance equity in dialysis care by utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize facility placement through data-driven decision-making. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed national data from 5,961 hemodialysis patients across 76 dialysis centers in Israel. Geographic accessibility was assessed using GIS to measure travel distances between patients’ residences and their treating dialysis centers. For utilization rate, active hemodialysis patient count was compared to estimated maximum capacity for each center. Statistical comparisons across districts were conducted using chi-square, ANOVA, or Kruskal-Wallis tests, with Bonferroni corrections. Findings were visualized using ArcGIS software. Results The median travel distance to dialysis centers varied significantly by district (p < 0.001), with the longest distance in the North district (10.9 km) and the shortest in the South district (3.4 km). The mean utilization rate was 73.3%, with the highest in the North district (82.5%) and the lowest in the Jerusalem district (64.3%). No significant differences in utilization rates were found between districts (p = 0.38. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to apply GIS to national patient-based data for assessing dialysis center accessibility and utilization. Our findings demonstrate how GIS integration with national registries can inform equitable healthcare planning and facility allocation. This approach offers policymakers a scalable, technology-driven strategy to optimize resource distribution, correct healthcare inequities, and improve accessibility for dialysis patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b56a6c7d1bc4363bd4b74def39cc8a5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-4015 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Israel Journal of Health Policy Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b56a6c7d1bc4363bd4b74def39cc8a52025-08-20T03:46:04ZengBMCIsrael Journal of Health Policy Research2045-40152025-07-0114111010.1186/s13584-025-00704-5Optimizing nation-wide locations of dialysis centers: a geographic information system-based approach to improve healthcare accessibility and availabilityHanna Schroeder0Chen Namimi-Halevi1Osnat Luxenburg2Ayelet Grinbaum Arizon3Zach Tagar4Michal Bromberg5Vered H. Eisenberg6Policy Planning Department at the Israel Ministry of Health and an instructor in the Henrietta Szold School of Nursing, Hebrew University - Hadassah Faculty of MedicineIsrael Center for Disease Control, Israel Ministry of HealthMedical Technology, Health Information and Research Directorate, Israel Ministry of HealthStrategic and Economic Planning Administration at the Israel Ministry of HealthBI & GIS Department, Israel Ministry of HealthIsrael Center for Disease Control, Israel Ministry of HealthMedical Facilities and Equipment Licensing, Medical Technology, Health Information and Research Directorate, Gray School of Public Health, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Tel Aviv UniversityAbstract Background Accessibility and availability are critical components of quality healthcare, particularly for dialysis patients requiring tri-weekly treatments. Inconveniently placed or oversubscribed dialysis centers contribute to widening healthcare disparities. This study aims to enhance equity in dialysis care by utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize facility placement through data-driven decision-making. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed national data from 5,961 hemodialysis patients across 76 dialysis centers in Israel. Geographic accessibility was assessed using GIS to measure travel distances between patients’ residences and their treating dialysis centers. For utilization rate, active hemodialysis patient count was compared to estimated maximum capacity for each center. Statistical comparisons across districts were conducted using chi-square, ANOVA, or Kruskal-Wallis tests, with Bonferroni corrections. Findings were visualized using ArcGIS software. Results The median travel distance to dialysis centers varied significantly by district (p < 0.001), with the longest distance in the North district (10.9 km) and the shortest in the South district (3.4 km). The mean utilization rate was 73.3%, with the highest in the North district (82.5%) and the lowest in the Jerusalem district (64.3%). No significant differences in utilization rates were found between districts (p = 0.38. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to apply GIS to national patient-based data for assessing dialysis center accessibility and utilization. Our findings demonstrate how GIS integration with national registries can inform equitable healthcare planning and facility allocation. This approach offers policymakers a scalable, technology-driven strategy to optimize resource distribution, correct healthcare inequities, and improve accessibility for dialysis patients.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-025-00704-5HemodialysisGISHealthcare planningHealth policyAccessibilityEquity |
| spellingShingle | Hanna Schroeder Chen Namimi-Halevi Osnat Luxenburg Ayelet Grinbaum Arizon Zach Tagar Michal Bromberg Vered H. Eisenberg Optimizing nation-wide locations of dialysis centers: a geographic information system-based approach to improve healthcare accessibility and availability Israel Journal of Health Policy Research Hemodialysis GIS Healthcare planning Health policy Accessibility Equity |
| title | Optimizing nation-wide locations of dialysis centers: a geographic information system-based approach to improve healthcare accessibility and availability |
| title_full | Optimizing nation-wide locations of dialysis centers: a geographic information system-based approach to improve healthcare accessibility and availability |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing nation-wide locations of dialysis centers: a geographic information system-based approach to improve healthcare accessibility and availability |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing nation-wide locations of dialysis centers: a geographic information system-based approach to improve healthcare accessibility and availability |
| title_short | Optimizing nation-wide locations of dialysis centers: a geographic information system-based approach to improve healthcare accessibility and availability |
| title_sort | optimizing nation wide locations of dialysis centers a geographic information system based approach to improve healthcare accessibility and availability |
| topic | Hemodialysis GIS Healthcare planning Health policy Accessibility Equity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-025-00704-5 |
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