29153, Sumter, South Carolina Asthma Score Provider Score

The Provider Score for the Asthma Score in 29153, Sumter, South Carolina is 27 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

An estimate of 85.89 percent of the residents in 29153 has some form of health insurance. 41.82 percent of the residents have some type of public health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs (VA), or TRICARE. About 57.82 percent of the residents have private health insurance, either through their employer or direct purchase. Military veterans should know that percent of the residents in the ZIP Code of 29153 have VA health insurance. Also, percent of the residents receive TRICARE.

For the 3,920 residents under the age of 18, there is an estimate of 2 pediatricians in a 20-mile radius of 29153. An estimate of 9 geriatricians or physicians who focus on the elderly who can serve the 2,742 residents over the age of 65 years.

In a 20-mile radius, there are 1,739 health care providers accessible to residents in 29153, Sumter, South Carolina.

## Asthma Score Analysis: ZIP Code 29153 & Sumter Primary Care

Analyzing healthcare accessibility and quality, particularly concerning asthma management, requires a multi-faceted approach. This analysis focuses on the specific parameters of ZIP Code 29153 and the broader context of primary care availability within Sumter, South Carolina. We will evaluate factors impacting asthma care, including physician-to-patient ratios, practice performance, telemedicine integration, and the availability of mental health resources, culminating in a comprehensive "Asthma Score" assessment.

The foundation of effective asthma management rests on accessible and responsive primary care. Within ZIP Code 29153, the physician-to-patient ratio is a critical indicator. A higher ratio, meaning more patients per physician, can strain resources and potentially decrease the time dedicated to each patient, impacting diagnosis, treatment plan development, and follow-up care. Data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the U.S. Census Bureau, when combined, can provide an initial estimate. However, this data alone doesn’t capture the full picture. The actual accessibility is influenced by factors such as insurance acceptance, office hours, and appointment availability.

Beyond raw numbers, the performance of individual practices within 29153 warrants close examination. Identifying “standout practices” requires evaluating several key metrics. Asthma control test (ACT) scores, routinely used to assess asthma severity and treatment effectiveness, are a crucial indicator. Practices with consistently high ACT scores, reflecting better patient outcomes, deserve recognition. Furthermore, adherence to national guidelines for asthma management, as outlined by organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), is paramount. Practices that demonstrably follow these guidelines, including regular spirometry testing, personalized action plans, and patient education, are more likely to deliver superior care.

Telemedicine, the use of technology to provide healthcare remotely, has emerged as a significant tool in improving access, especially for chronic conditions like asthma. Its adoption within 29153 and the broader Sumter area is an important factor in our Asthma Score analysis. Telemedicine can facilitate virtual consultations, medication refills, and remote monitoring of lung function, particularly beneficial for patients with mobility limitations or those living in geographically isolated areas. Assessing the prevalence of telemedicine adoption requires surveying local practices and analyzing their telehealth platforms, the types of services offered, and patient satisfaction with these services.

The interplay between asthma and mental health is increasingly recognized. Anxiety and depression can exacerbate asthma symptoms and negatively impact treatment adherence. Therefore, the availability of mental health resources within the primary care setting and the broader Sumter community is a crucial component of our Asthma Score. Practices that integrate mental health screenings and referrals into their asthma management protocols are better equipped to address the holistic needs of their patients. Assessing this requires examining the presence of on-site mental health professionals, partnerships with local mental health providers, and the availability of educational materials on the link between asthma and mental health.

Evaluating the overall primary care availability in Sumter extends beyond the confines of 29153. Analyzing the distribution of primary care physicians across the county, the availability of after-hours care, and the presence of urgent care clinics are all relevant. Moreover, the transportation infrastructure within Sumter plays a role. Limited access to transportation can hinder patients from accessing necessary medical care, impacting their asthma management. Public transportation options, the availability of ride-sharing services, and the proximity of practices to residential areas all contribute to the overall accessibility of care.

The “Asthma Score” itself will be a composite metric, reflecting the factors discussed above. It will incorporate weighted scores for physician-to-patient ratios, practice performance (based on ACT scores, guideline adherence, and patient reviews), telemedicine adoption, and the availability of mental health resources. The weighting of each factor will reflect its relative importance in achieving optimal asthma control and patient well-being. The final score will provide a comprehensive assessment of the quality and accessibility of asthma care within 29153 and Sumter, enabling informed decision-making by patients and healthcare providers.

In constructing the Asthma Score, data collection is paramount. Publicly available data from DHEC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the South Carolina Medical Association will be utilized. However, this data will be supplemented by direct surveys of primary care practices within 29153 and Sumter. These surveys will gather information on ACT scores, telemedicine adoption, mental health integration, and other relevant metrics. Patient feedback, gathered through online reviews and patient satisfaction surveys, will also be incorporated to provide a more comprehensive assessment.

The analysis process will involve several stages. First, data collection and aggregation will be performed. This will be followed by data cleaning and validation. Then, a scoring methodology will be developed, incorporating the weighted factors and assigning scores to each practice and the overall area. Finally, the Asthma Score will be calculated, and a comprehensive report will be generated, providing actionable insights for improving asthma care in the region.

The ultimate goal of this analysis is to empower both patients and healthcare providers. By providing a clear and objective assessment of the quality and accessibility of asthma care, this analysis can help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare. It can also identify areas for improvement and inform strategies to enhance asthma management within the Sumter community.

The findings of this analysis will be presented in a user-friendly format, including interactive maps and visualizations. This will enable stakeholders to easily understand the key findings and identify areas where improvements are most needed. The analysis will be regularly updated to reflect changes in the healthcare landscape and to track progress in improving asthma care.

To visualize and understand the geographic distribution of healthcare resources, including physician locations, practice performance metrics, and areas with limited access, consider exploring the power of geospatial data with CartoChrome maps. These maps can provide a visual representation of the data, enabling a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to asthma care in ZIP Code 29153 and the broader Sumter area.