Technology: The eCompliance Project
Tracking the Patient (eCompliance) The World Health Organization introduced the DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy) model in 1993. The main objective of the DOTS model is preventing multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which develops when patients stop treatment before they complete the full course. Although the DOTS model drastically improved modern TB treatment, TB and MDR-TB are still threats across the world, especially in high-burden TB countries such as India. OpASHA has developed technology to address the lingering problems concerning TB treatment.
See the PowerPoint Presentation
Further Reading: eCompliance: Enhancing Tuberculosis Treatment with Biometric Technology
E-health in low- and middle-income countries: findings from the Center for Health Market Innovations
To help us monitor and track our patients, we’ve partnered with Microsoft Research and Innovators in Health to develop eCompliance (formerly named eDOTS), a biometric identification system. The system consists of a netbook (a small laptop), a fingerprint reader and a low-cost SMS modem. Each center has one of these portable systems installed, and every time a patient visits a center, he or she scans a finger using the reader. This provides proof that the patient visited the treatment center and took the scheduled dose in the presence of the provider or counselor. At the end of each day, the eCompliance terminal automatically sends the attendance logs through SMS to a central database where reports are generated for analysis.
Each time a patient fails to appear for a scheduled treatment, the eCompliance terminal sends a separate text message to the responsible counselor and overseeing program manager to notify them of the patient’s absence. The counselor then has 48 hours to follow up with the patient, administer the required medications, and provide individual counseling on the dangers of missing a dose. Every counselor also carries an eCompliance system in his or her bag. The counselor is required to bring the system to the patient’s home and scan the patient’s fingerprint to record the follow-up visit.
Because the system alerts OpASHA counselors and program managers every time a patient misses a dose, we can provide targeted counseling and care to the patients who need it most.
We installed the first system in March 2010, and now have 55 eCompliance terminals operating in 36 centers in South Delhi, Jaipur, West Delhi and Bhivandi. Till date 900 currently undergoing treatment and Over 150,000 visits logged. The eCompliance initiative has reduced the number of missed doses to 1.5 percent.
The system’s success has prompted us to develop an advocacy team to help other NGOs, public health departments and government bodies replicate eCompliance. The software is free to download from Microsoft Research’s website. Click here to download the Operation Asha’s eCompliance terminal. If you are interested in learning more about the software and how to use it, please write to Sandeep Ahuja, CEO, at sandeep.ahuja@opasha.org.
