SAMU ambulance positioning using MALP model

Abstract

One of the constitutional principles of the public health care system in Brazil is universality, which turns health into a fundamental right and ensures that all citizens shall have access to health service whenever required. The purpose of this study is to assess the positioning of ambulances in Duque de Caxias-RJ, and find new arrangements to maximize the covered population. The configuration of a network that provides such service is indeed significant since small deviations may lead to users’ death. Therefore, four scenarios were built in order to represent different network arrangements, according to the manager’s strategy or the budget limitations of the city.  An Integer Programming model for servers’ positioning was used in each scenario. Indicators such as percentage of coverage population and total cost were then used to compare and choose the best solution. Results have shown that the current coverage could be doubled by just relocating facilities that already exist, without adding any costs. It is important to notice that this solution is rather different from the current positioning.