Model analysis for optimal allocation of pediatric emergency center

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Public Health
• Geographic Information Systems

Background:

• Effective allocation of Pediatric Emergency Centers (PECs) is crucial for child healthcare access.
• Previous models often overlook financial constraints in facility planning.
• Hokkaido prefecture presents a unique demographic and geographic challenge for emergency service distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To simulate and identify optimal locations for Pediatric Emergency Centers in Hokkaido.
• To evaluate the efficacy of Min-Sum and Min-Max models for PEC allocation under financial restrictions.
• To provide data-driven recommendations for decision-makers regarding PEC network design.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Min-Sum and Min-Max optimization models.
• Incorporated travel distance data for emergency response times.
• Integrated child population density data for Hokkaido prefecture.
• Simulated various allocation scenarios considering financial limitations.

Main Results:

• Identified specific optimal numbers and geographic allocations for PECs.
• Demonstrated the comparative performance of Min-Sum and Min-Max models in this context.
• Highlighted the impact of financial constraints on optimal facility placement.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a framework for optimizing PEC allocation considering real-world financial limitations.
• The simulated results offer valuable insights for Hokkaido's healthcare planning authorities.
• This approach can be adapted for optimizing emergency service distribution in other regions.