Title:	AN INTEGRATED SOLUTION FOR IMPROVING EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE SYSTEMS’ RESPONSE TIME
Author(s):	Esraa I. Abou El Safa, Ghada A. El Khayat
ISBN:	978-989-8533-53-1
Editors:	Mário Macedo
Year:	2016
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Emergency Medical Services (EMS); Response Time; Ambulance Relocation; Ambulance Dispatch; Call Screening
Type:	Full Paper
First Page:	123
Last Page:	130
Language:	English
Cover:
Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	This paper proposes an integrated system that aims to improve the efficiency of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). EMS systems are responsible for interventions in life-threatening health conditions in which a second counts. A primary measure for EMS performance is its response time; which is the focus of this research. Response time is divided into several components. However, almost all literature tackling its improvement considers the travel time component only. In this research the time taken to report a case and the dispatching time are also considered. The dispatching and relocation policies used affect the system performance. Thus, in this study a modified measure for preparedness and demand forecast is provided. A novel ambulance dispatch algorithm based on these measures is introduced. It lowers the overall system response time, while respecting a predefined threshold of response time for single cases. The contributed integrated system comprises a mobile application for the use of citizens and corresponding applications for the EMS. The citizens’ side application allows them to make a faster, easier and more accurate incident reporting. The EMS side applications make use of the proposed policy and rules in order to dispatch ambulance vehicles and relocate them efficiently. In addition, the applications work together to enable the EMS to make better call screening and faster dispatch. Preliminary testing of the citizens’ side application was made and results were satisfactory. Data collected by the application will potentially help determine black spots and support decision makers in deciding where to locate new ambulance stations and which roads need maintenance. The proposed solution is expected to lower the overall response time and improve the EMS system’s efficiency.
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