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12-May-2011
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Arch Hellen Med, 28(3), May-June 2011, 380-382 ORIGINAL PAPER Allocation of point of care testing analyzers to rural primary hospitals. A report on allocation planning V. Wiwanitkit |
OBJECTIVE Laboratory investigation plays important roles in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). The use of point of care testing analyzers (POCTs) can provide a solution for the rural local primary care hospital that has limited facilities for the setting up of a standard medical laboratory. An important concern at present is the management of the limited available resources for the local primary hospital in developing countries.
METHOD A basic study was made in resource allocation planning for POCT analyzers to primary hospitals in a rural province in a developing country, Thailand. Starting from site survey, budget allocation was further assigned on the necessity based principle.
RESULTS The necessity based principle permitted a final plan for allocation of POCT analyzers to be derived. Planning was made for running a POCT screening program.
CONCLUSIONS The allocation plan for POCT analyzers proved to be successful. The planning process reported here can be a useful reference for planning for medical facilities distribution in remote settings in developing countries.
Key words: Allocation, Analyzer, Point of care testing, Resource, Rural.
