A model for locating automatic external defibrillators

Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) enable basic life support (BLS) companies to resuscitate victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (“heart attacks”) by automatically or semi-automatically providing an electrical countershock. Due to the cost of such devices, decision-makers in emergency me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Socio-economic planning sciences 1996-03, Vol.30 (1), p.51-66
Main Authors: Mandell, Marvin B., Becker, Les R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Decision making
Defibrillation
Health planning
Health services
Location
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Summary:Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) enable basic life support (BLS) companies to resuscitate victims of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (“heart attacks”) by automatically or semi-automatically providing an electrical countershock. Due to the cost of such devices, decision-makers in emergency medical service (EMS) systems often face the task of selecting those BLS units in the EMS system on which an AED should be placed. We thus present a multiobjective integer programming model, incorporating both equity and overall survival rates, to help decision-makers select BLS companies in a jurisdiction to equip with AEDs. The model can also accommodate restrictions that decision-makers might wish to impose in terms of specifying BLS units on which an AED must, or must not, be placed. In addition to the model itself, a heuristic solution procedure is presented. A case study in which the model was applied successfully is also described.
ISSN:0038-0121
1873-6041
DOI:10.1016/0038-0121(95)00027-5