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Locating helicopter ambulance bases in Iceland: efficient and fair solutions
Björn Gunnarsson1,2, Kristrún María Björnsdóttir3, Sveinbjörn Dúason3
1Institute of Health Science Research, University of Akureyri, Akureyri, Iceland. bjorngun@unak.is.
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
|November 2, 2023
Summary
Optimizing helicopter ambulance bases in Iceland ensures efficient and equitable emergency care. Strategic placement, like Reykjavík and Akureyri, maximizes coverage for rural populations.
Area of Science:
- Emergency medical services research
- Operations research in healthcare
- Geographic information systems in public health
Background:
- Fixed-wing air ambulances are crucial in rural Iceland.
- Helicopter ambulances offer potential for faster response and equitable access to advanced care.
- Traditional location models prioritize efficiency, potentially neglecting remote populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine optimal and equitable base locations for helicopter ambulances in Iceland.
- To balance efficiency (maximizing coverage) with fairness (serving remote areas).
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-resolution population and incident data for demand estimation.
- Employed Maximal Covering Location Problem (MCLP) and Fringe Sensitive Location Problem (FSLP) models.
- Analyzed coverage percentages within 45-, 60-, and 75-minute response times for 1-3 bases.
Main Results:
- Two bases can achieve 97% coverage within 60 minutes (Húsafell and Grímsstaðir).
- Alternative two-base solutions (Reykjavík/Akureyri) offer 94.2% coverage.
- Model solutions varied based on service standards and location models used.
Conclusions:
- Recommends locating helicopter ambulance bases at Reykjavík Airport and either Akureyri or Egilsstaðir.
- This strategy balances efficient coverage with improved access for underserved regions.
- Highlights the importance of fairness in emergency service resource allocation.
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