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Environmental and Patient Impact of Applying a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Model in Primary Care: Rural vs. Urban Centres

Author

Listed:
  • Francesc X Marín-Gomez

    (Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
    Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
    Servei d’Atenció Primària Osona, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08500 Vic, Barcelona, Spain)

  • Jacobo Mendioroz Peña

    (Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
    Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08007 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Vicenç Canal Casals

    (Centre d’Atenció Primària Vic Nord, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08500 Vic, Barcelona, Spain)

  • Marcos Romero Mendez

    (Centre d’Atenció Primària St. Quirze de Besora, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08580 Sant Quirze de Besora, Barcelona, Spain)

  • Ana Darnés Surroca

    (Centre d’Atenció Primària Manlleu, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08560 Manlleu, Barcelona, Spain)

  • Antoni Nieto Maclino

    (Centre d’Atenció Primària Sta. Eugènia de Berga, Gerència Territorial de Barcelona, Institut Català de la Salut, 08507 Santa Eugènia de Berga, Barcelona, Spain)

  • Josep Vidal-Alaball

    (Health Promotion in Rural Areas Research Group, Institut Català de la Salut, 08272 Sant Fruitós de Bages, Spain
    Unitat de Suport a la Recerca de la Catalunya Central, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina, 08007 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

Motor vehicles are a major contributor to air pollution, and the exposure to this human-caused air pollution can lead to harmful health effects. This study evaluates the impact of the provision of point-of-care ultrasounds (POCUS) by primary care (PC) to avoid the patient’s need to travel to a specialized service. The study estimates the costs and air pollution avoided during 2019. The results confirm that performing this ultrasound at the point of care reduces the emission of 61.4 gr of carbon monoxide, 14.8 gr of nitric oxide and 2.7 gr of sulfur dioxide on each trip. During the study, an average of 17.8 km, 21.4 min per trip and almost 2000 L of fuel consumed in a year were avoided. Performing POCUS from PC reduces fuel consumption and the emission of air pollutants and also saves time and money. Furthermore, only 0.3% of the scans had to be repeated by radiologists. However, more studies with more participants need to be done to calculate the exact impact that these pollution reductions will have on human health.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesc X Marín-Gomez & Jacobo Mendioroz Peña & Vicenç Canal Casals & Marcos Romero Mendez & Ana Darnés Surroca & Antoni Nieto Maclino & Josep Vidal-Alaball, 2020. "Environmental and Patient Impact of Applying a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Model in Primary Care: Rural vs. Urban Centres," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:9:p:3333-:d:356749
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Josep Vidal-Alaball & Jordi Franch-Parella & Francesc Lopez Seguí & Francesc Garcia Cuyàs & Jacobo Mendioroz Peña, 2019. "Impact of a Telemedicine Program on the Reduction in the Emission of Atmospheric Pollutants and Journeys by Road," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-7, November.
    2. Margaret Salmon & Christian Salmon & Alexa Bissinger & Mundenga Mutendi Muller & Alegnta Gebreyesus & Haimanot Geremew & Sarah Wendell & Aklilu Azaza & Maurice Salumu & Nerys Benfield, 2015. "Alternative Ultrasound Gel for a Sustainable Ultrasound Program: Application of Human Centered Design," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Elinor Ostrom, 2014. "A Polycentric Approach For Coping With Climate Change," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 15(1), pages 97-134, May.
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