A trauma resource allocation model for ambulances and hospitals

Area of Science:

• Operations Research
• Public Health
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Optimizing the location of trauma care resources is critical for improving patient outcomes.
• Existing trauma systems may not fully address the spatial distribution of severe injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a mathematical model for optimal siting of trauma care resources.
• The model aims to maximize coverage of severely injured patients within defined time standards.

Main Methods:

• The Trauma Resource Allocation Model for Ambulances and Hospitals (TRAMAH) was developed using integer and heuristic programming.
• Patient data from Maryland hospital discharge and vital statistics (1992-1994) were used to create a spatial injury profile.
• TRAMAH simultaneously sited trauma centers and aeromedical depots to maximize patient coverage.

Main Results:

• TRAMAH achieved 99.97% coverage within 30 minutes for severely injured patients, exceeding the existing system's coverage.
• This model identified potential for an additional 461 severely injured individuals to be covered annually.
• Optimal placement of resources using TRAMAH required fewer aeromedical depots to achieve similar 15-minute response coverage.

Conclusions:

• The Trauma Resource Allocation Model for Ambulances and Hospitals (TRAMAH) provides a valuable tool for trauma system planners.
• It enables better resource allocation based on spatial needs and critical response times.
• Implementing TRAMAH can lead to more efficient and effective trauma care delivery.