Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) for Management of Cleft Lip-Palate Care at The Tawanchai Cleft Center
Suteera Pradubwong MNS*, Orathai Lekbunyasin MSc**, Vasana Chantachum MNS*, Supitcha Udomtanasup BSc***, Krisda Simmalee MSc***, Bowornsilp Chowchuen MD MBA****
Affiliation : * Surgery and Orthopedic Department, Division of Nursing, Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Medical Records and Statistics. Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Center of Cleft lip-Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Deformities, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand **** Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To use a Geographic Information System (GIS) approach to study the distribution and statistics of patients with
cleft lip/palate in Thailand’s Northeast region who get treatment at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University.
Material and Method: Using a GIS approach, the researchers reviewed every case with cleft lip/palate treated at Srinagarind
Hospital between 1984 and 2007 to study the distribution of cleft lip/palate in Northeast Thailand.
Results : Of the 1,950 patients, there were more male patients (56.3%) with cleft lip/palate than females (43.7%). One-third
(31.8%) of the patients had cleft lip only, while 22.5% had cleft palate only and 45.7% had both cleft lip and cleft palate. Most
of the patients (55.1%) lived in Khon Kaen, 24.9% in Mahasarakam and 16.9% in Kalasin provinces. Since 2002,more
patients have had surgical treatment at the ages and intervals recommended by our centre’s protocol.
Discussion and
Conclusion : Most of the patients who have got treatment at The Tawanchai Center lived in central and
northern Northeast Thailand: most lived in Khon Kaen province. More of the patients tended to get surgery on time,
according to the establishment of The Tawanchai Center’s interdisciplinary protocol for cleft lip and cleft palate care;
however, some were still getting the surgery late. The GIS data was very useful for the Cleft Center for planning outreach,
community-based interdisciplinary treatment, referrals, preparing a schedule for follow-up and follow-on treatments; thus,
improving care for the patients with cleft lip/palate.
Keywords : Cleft lip-palate, Geographic Information System (GIS), Improved care
