Hybrid mathematical and simulation model for designing a hierarchical network of temporary medical centers in a disaster

ABSTRACT

The destructions caused by natural disasters have made human societies well aware of the importance of logistical preparedness and precise human resource planning both in the pre- and post-disaster phases. Temporary Medical Centers (TMCs) are one of the most important problems for disaster response. TMCs are established in safe places to treat the injured in times of crisis. In this paper, the optimal locations for the establishment of TMCs are determined using a mixed-integer mathematical programming model. Furthermore, an optimal hierarchical structure is developed for assigning the injured from urban areas to the TMCs, clinics, and hospitals in the event of a disaster. A simulation-based optimisation model is employed to simulate the conditions at the moment the disaster occurs and the ensuing response operations. The findings indicate that the proposed hierarchical location-allocation model reduces the congestion of the injured and minimises total costs and patients’ treatment time.The destructions caused by natural disasters have made human societies well aware of the importance of logistical preparedness and precise human resource planning both in the pre- and post-disaster phases. Temporary Medical Centers (TMCs) are one of the most important problems for disaster response. TMCs are established in safe places to treat the injured in times of crisis. In this paper, the optimal locations for the establishment of TMCs are determined using a mixed-integer mathematical programming model. Furthermore, an optimal hierarchical structure is developed for assigning the injured from urban areas to the TMCs, clinics, and hospitals in the event of a disaster. A simulation-based optimisation model is employed to simulate the conditions at the moment the disaster occurs and the ensuing response operations. The findings indicate that the proposed hierarchical location-allocation model reduces the congestion of the injured and minimises total costs and patients’ treatment time.

KEYWORDS:

• Simulation-based optimisation
• hierarchical mathematical model
• disaster management
• temporary medical centres (TMCs)

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Office of Disaster Management for its useful information in times of disaster. Their valuable comments have enhanced significance of our paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Introduced in 1980, health houses are the basic units of the rural (and in some cases, urban) health care structure, with an array of different responsibilities.