An Emergency Medical Service (EMS) plays a fundamental role in providing good quality health care services to citizens, as it provides the first answer in distressing situations. Early response, one of the key factors in a successful treatment of an injury, is strongly influenced by the performance of ambulances, which are sent to rescue the patient. Here we report the research carried on by the authors on the ambulance location and management in the Milano area (Italy), as a part of a wider research project in collaboration with the EMS of Milano and funded by Regione Lombardia. The question posed by the EMS managers was clear and, at the same time, tricky: could decision making tools be applied, based on the currently available data, to provide suggestions for decision makers? To answer such a question, three different studies have been carried on: first the evaluation of the current EMS system performance through statistical analysis; then the study of operational policies which can improve the system performance through a simulation model; and finally the definition of an alternative set of posts through an optimization model. This paper describes the methodologies underlying such studies and reports on how their main findings were crucial to help the EMS in changing its organization model.

Supporting decision making to improve the performance of an Italian Emergency Medical Service

ARINGHIERI, ROBERTO;
2016-01-01

Abstract

An Emergency Medical Service (EMS) plays a fundamental role in providing good quality health care services to citizens, as it provides the first answer in distressing situations. Early response, one of the key factors in a successful treatment of an injury, is strongly influenced by the performance of ambulances, which are sent to rescue the patient. Here we report the research carried on by the authors on the ambulance location and management in the Milano area (Italy), as a part of a wider research project in collaboration with the EMS of Milano and funded by Regione Lombardia. The question posed by the EMS managers was clear and, at the same time, tricky: could decision making tools be applied, based on the currently available data, to provide suggestions for decision makers? To answer such a question, three different studies have been carried on: first the evaluation of the current EMS system performance through statistical analysis; then the study of operational policies which can improve the system performance through a simulation model; and finally the definition of an alternative set of posts through an optimization model. This paper describes the methodologies underlying such studies and reports on how their main findings were crucial to help the EMS in changing its organization model.
2016
236
1
131
148
R. Aringhieri; G. Carello; D. Morale
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2013-SupportingDecisionMakingToImproveThePerformanceOfAnItalianEMS-online.pdf

Accesso riservato

Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 1.25 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.25 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
2013-SupportingDMforImprovingEMS.pdf

Open Access dal 06/11/2014

Tipo di file: POSTPRINT (VERSIONE FINALE DELL’AUTORE)
Dimensione 1.43 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.43 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
2016-SupportingDecisionMakingToImproveThePerformanceOfAnItalianEMS-published.pdf

Accesso riservato

Tipo di file: PDF EDITORIALE
Dimensione 2.18 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.18 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/139504
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 45
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 38
social impact