The GeoPlan Center collaborates with University of Florida medical researchers, conducting geospatial analysis on public health information (PHI) to detect patterns, predict outcomes, and prioritize resource distribution. Below are a few selected projects:
Pediatric Emergency Department (2018 – Present)
Collaboration with Dr. Jennifer N. Fishe, MD, FAAP, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Medical Director, Pediatric Emergency Department
Since 2018, GeoPlan has been collaborating on various projects with Dr. Fishe. Recently, Dr. Fishe was awarded a K23 grant to support her childhood asthma research, which seeks to better understand how children are treated for asthma before arriving at the hospital. GeoPlan is working with Dr. Fishe to help explore spatial relationships in the data and collaboratively author journal articles and conference presentations.
Read more: Jennifer Fishe, MD, receives federal grant to study pediatric asthma
Department of Emergency Medicine (2020 – Present)
Collaboration with Dr. Sophia Sheikh, MD, FACEP Assistant Professor Medical Toxicologist, Department of Emergency Medicine at the UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville
GeoPlan is working with a team of researchers, led by Dr. Sheikh, on a project using geospatial analysis to predict pain outcomes. The project is funded through the The UF Office of Research 2020 seed fund grant.
Pediatric Pulmonary Center (2016 – 2018)
Collaboration with Elizabeth LeFave, DNP, ARNP, PNP-BC, AE-C of the Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, a Pediatric Pulmonary Center Nurse Faculty
In this project, GeoPlan assisted with geocoding, spatial analysis, and visualization for the creation of heat maps representing childhood asthma in Alachua County, FL.
UF Health Cancer Center (2018 – 2020)
Collaboration with Dr. Robert H. Houlihan, DHA, MBA, FACHE, UF Health Cancer Center
GeoPlan created 3D campus maps for the main UF campus and Jacksonville campus, providing an inventory of the buildings used by the Center. The Center uses the maps during the application process to designate UF Health with National Cancer Institute status.
Spatial data requires specific considerations when it comes to PHI. GeoPlan takes advantage of the ResVault system to ensure privacy.
Publications List:
- (2023) Examination of disparities in prehospital encounters for pediatric asthma exacerbations
- (2023) EMS Administration of Systemic Corticosteroids to Pediatric Asthma Patients: An Analysis by Severity and Transport Interval
- (2021) Clinical, Operational, and Socioeconomic Analysis of EMS Bypass of the Closest Facility for Pediatric Asthma Patients
- (2021) A Statewide Study of the Epidemiology of Emergency Medical Services’ Management of Pediatric Asthma
- (2020) Early administration of steroids in the ambulance setting: Protocol for a type I hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial with a stepped wedge design
- (2020) A Statewide Analysis of EMS’ Pediatric Destination Decisions
- (2019) A Geospatial Analysis of Distances to Hospitals that Admit Pediatric Asthma Patients