Josh Nesbit, a Senior in the Human Biology Program at Stanford University, traveled to St. Gabriel’s with 100 recycled cell phones, a donated laptop and a copy of FrontlineSMS – a free computer program developed to act as a central text message hub. Over 8 weeks, a total of 75 CHWs were called to the hospital, given cell phones, and trained in text messaging. The volunteers’ locations were mapped, and the phones were disseminated throughout the catchment area. Stationed at the hospital, a laptop running FrontlineSMS coordinates the health network’s activities. The day-to-day program operations were handed over to hospital staff within two weeks.
As a result of the SMS network, the hospital now responds to requests for remote patient care, tracks distant patients, informs CHWs of proper drug dosages and uses, receives patient updates, facilitates CHW-to-CHW communication and group mobilization, connects HIV-positive patients to support groups, and relays outreach HIV testing schedules. In six months, the SMS program has saved the hospital staff 1200 hours of follow-up time and over $3,000 in motorbike fuel. Nearly 1,400 patient updates have been processed via SMS. Over 100 patients have started TB treatment after their symptoms were noticed by CHWs and reported by text-message. The SMS network has brought the Home-Based Care unit to the homes of 130 patients who would not have otherwise received care. Texting has saved 21 antiretroviral therapy (ART) monitors 900 hours of travel time, eliminating the need to hand-deliver paper reports.
(From: http://www.jopsa.org/?page_id=125)
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