Evaluation of Spatial Accessibility to Ohio Trauma Centers Using a GIS-Based Gravity Model

Abstract

Aims: Traumatic injury is one of the leading causes of death in all age groups. Ensuring adequate and effective access to trauma centers is key to improving the quality of care for injured patients. This study evaluates the spatial accessibility of Ohio trauma centers and identifies potentially underserved Ohio counties. Study Design: A gravity based accessibility model using a Geographic Information System (GIS) was implemented. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Nationwide Children’s Hospital in 2015. Methodology: A gravity based accessibility model using a Geographic Information System (GIS) was adapted to incorporate US census data, trauma center location data, and trauma center utilization data to quantify accessibility to trauma centers at both the zip code and county levels. An underserved index was developed to identify the location and clustering pattern of underserved regions within the state. Results: Most served counties were about 10 times more served than an average county while least served counties were about 4 times less served than an average county. Conclusion: Findings of this study are potentially useful for evaluating regionalized trauma care and provide evidence for trauma care system improvements.