Reorganization of an Emergency Medical System in a Mixed Urban-Rural Area

Abstract

The reorganization of an emergency medical system means that we look for new locations of ambulance stations with the aim of improving the accessibility of the service. We applied two tools that are well known in the operations research community, namely mathematical programming, and computer simulation. Using the hierarchical pq-median model, we proposed optimal locations of the stations throughout the country and within large towns. Several solutions have been calculated that differ in the number of stations that are supposed to be relocated to new positions. The locations proposed by the mathematical programming model were evaluated via computer simulation. The approach was demonstrated under the conditions of the Slovak Republic using real historical data on ambulance dispatches. We have concluded that (i) the distribution of the stations proposed by the hierarchical pq-median model overcomes the current distribution; the performance of the system has significantly improved even if only 10% of the stations are relocated to new municipalities; (ii) the variant that relocates 40% of the stations is a reasonable compromise between the benefits and induced costs; (iii) optimizing station locations in big towns can significantly improve the local as well as the nationwide performance indicators; the response times in two regional capitals has reduced by more than 4 min.

Comparison of Paramedic Competencies In the czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia And germany

“…The Slovak Emergency Medical Service system operates on the so-called Franco-German model and is based on the same principles as in the Czech Republic. Paramedics treat patients directly at the scene and, depending on the severity of their medical condition, transport them to hospitals for further treatment (21). The system can also be divided into two collaborating components: the operational center and the response teams.…”

Dynamic ambulance relocation: a scoping review

“…Dispatching ambulances is a complex task, as dispatch decisions include both strategic and operational considerations, such as the number and location of fixed ambulance stations and how the available ambulances should be used to optimise ambulance coverage 2. The responsiveness of the EMS depends on both stable factors, such as the location of a hospital, and factors that are constantly changing, such as traffic situations or weather conditions 3. Two main models have been identified for operational decision-making on how best to use available resources and which ambulance to assign to a specific emergency call.…”

“… 2 The responsiveness of the EMS depends on both stable factors, such as the location of a hospital, and factors that are constantly changing, such as traffic situations or weather conditions. 3 Two main models have been identified for operational decision-making on how best to use available resources and which ambulance to assign to a specific emergency call. The first model is the static location model (ie, the ambulance is dispatched to a specific/given ambulance station and it returns to its designated ambulance station after a completed mission).…”