Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026
A Semi-quantitative Approach to Assess Biofilm Formation Using Wrinkled Colony Development
Published on: June 7, 2012
Development of a geospatial approach for the quantitative analysis of trauma center access
Robert J Winchell1, Paige Xu, Lauren E Mount
1From the Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York (R.J.W., L.E.M.); Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York (P.X.); and Cornell University, Ithaca, New York (R.H.).
Introduction:
Decisions around trauma center (TC) designation have become contentious in many areas. There is no consensus regarding the ideal number and location of TC and no accepted metrics to assess the effect of changes in system structure. We aimed to develop metrics of TC access, using publicly available data and analytic tools. We hypothesize that geospatial analysis can provide a reproducible approach to quantitatively asses potential changes in trauma system structure.
Methods:
A region in New York State was chosen for evaluation. Geospatial data and analytic tools in ArcGIS Online were used. Transport time polygons were created around TC, and the population covered was estimated by summing the census tracts within these polygons. Transport time from each census tract to the nearest TC was calculated. The baseline model includes the single designated TC. Model 1 includes one additional TC, and Model 2 includes two additional TC, chosen to maximize coverage. The population covered, population-weighted distribution of transport times, and population covered by a specific TC were calculated for each model.
Results:
The baseline model covered 1.12 × 10 people. The median transport time was 19.2 minutes. In Model 1, the population covered increased by 14.4%, while the population catchment, and thus the estimated trauma volume, of the existing TC decreased by 12%. Median transport time to the nearest TC increased to 20.4 minutes. Model 2 increased coverage by 18% above baseline, while the catchment, and thus the estimated trauma volume, of the existing TC decreased by 22%. Median transport time to the nearest TC decreased to 19.6 minutes.
Conclusions:
Geospatial analysis can provide objective measures of population access to trauma care. The analysis can be performed using different numbers and locations of TC, allowing direct comparison of changes in coverage and impact on existing centers. This type of data is essential for guiding difficult decisions regarding trauma system design.
Level Of Evidence:
Care management, level IV.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Quantitative Analysis
In quantitative analysis, two key measurements are made: the sample quantity and a property proportional to the amount of the analyte (the substance being analyzed). This forms the basis of the...
02:33Lattice Centering and Coordination Number
Types of Unit Cells
Imagine taking a large number of identical...
00:58Center of Gravity
01:15Center of Gravity
To determine its location, the principle of moments can be utilized by dividing the object into...
00:59Center of Mass
The knowledge of the center of mass can also help us to describe and predict the motion of objects. For example, when a ball is thrown...
01:20Instantaneous Center of Zero Velocity
To analyze this, consider two points on the wheel: point A and point B. The absolute velocity of point B can be expressed as the vector sum of the absolute velocity of point A and the relative velocity of point B with respect to point A. To simplify this analysis,...