CHICAS, Lancaster University, Lancaster, Lancashire, UK.
BMJ Open. 2013 Jan 3;3(1):e001363. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001363.
The aim of this paper was to show that easily interpretable maps of local and national prescribing data, available from open sources, can be used to demonstrate meaningful variations in prescribing performance.
The prescription dispensing data from the National Health Service (NHS) Information Centre for the medications metformin hydrochloride and methylphenidate were compared with reported incidence data for the conditions, diabetes and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, respectively. The incidence data were obtained from the open source general practitioner (GP) Quality and Outcomes Framework. These data were mapped using the Ordnance Survey CodePoint Open data and the data tables stored in a PostGIS spatial database. Continuous maps of spending per person in England were then computed by using a smoothing algorithm and areas whose local spending is substantially (at least fourfold) and significantly (p<0.05) higher than the national average are then highlighted on the maps.
NHS data with analysis of primary care prescribing.
England, UK.
The spatial mapping demonstrates that several areas in England have substantially and significantly higher spending per person on metformin and methyphenidate. North Kent and the Wirral have substantially and significantly higher spending per child on methyphenidate.
It is possible, using open source data, to use statistical methods to distinguish chance fluctuations in prescribing from genuine differences in prescribing rates. The results can be interactively mapped at a fine spatial resolution down to individual GP practices in England. This process could be automated and reported in real time. This can inform decision-making and could enable earlier detection of emergent phenomena.
本文旨在展示从公开来源获取的易于解释的本地和全国处方数据图可用于展示处方绩效的有意义变化。
国家卫生服务（NHS）信息中心的处方配药数据分别与糖尿病和注意缺陷多动障碍的报告发病率数据进行了比较，所用药物分别为盐酸二甲双胍和哌醋甲酯。发病率数据来自公开的全科医生（GP）质量和结果框架。这些数据使用 Ordnance Survey CodePoint 开放数据进行映射，并将数据表存储在 PostGIS 空间数据库中。然后，使用平滑算法计算英格兰每人支出的连续图，并在地图上突出显示当地支出明显（至少四倍）且显著（p<0.05）高于全国平均水平的区域。
NHS 数据与初级保健处方分析。
英国英格兰。
空间映射表明，英格兰的几个地区在使用二甲双胍和哌醋甲酯方面的人均支出明显更高。肯特北部和 Wirral 地区的儿童使用哌醋甲酯的人均支出明显更高。
使用公开来源的数据，可以使用统计方法来区分处方的偶然波动与实际处方率的差异。结果可以在精细的空间分辨率下以交互方式映射到英格兰的单个 GP 实践。这个过程可以自动化并实时报告。这可以为决策提供信息，并能够更早地发现新出现的现象。
