Abstract
Mass casualty incidents still cause a huge amount of deaths and injuries in the 21st century. Research on these events is challenging due to inherent ethical and logistical difficulties. Computer simulation models can overcome these difficulties, and offer evidence on which to base policy and decisions. In this paper an updated discrete event simulation model is described, designed to analyze prehospital policies and commonly made decisions. We implement an airplane crash scenario and analyze mortality as a primary and treatment and transport times as secondary outcome measures. We implement resource-dispatching, search and rescue at the disaster site, triage, treatment and evacuation of victims to health facilities. Overall we conclude that for this scenario - where treatment capacity is sufficient - the best outcome for victims can be achieved by the combination of triage and quick distribution of victims to regional hospitals.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2713-2724 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the Winter Simulation Conference |
| Volume | 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Dec 2018 |
| Event | Winter Simulation Conference 2018: Simulation for a Noble Cause - Gothia Towers, Göteborg, Sweden Duration: 9 Dec 2018 → 12 Dec 2018 https://www.wintersim.org |