Evaluating the Performance of Emergency Centers during Coronavirus Epidemic Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Methods (Case Study: Sari City)

Abstract

In this study, due to the importance of emergency centers and patient transport vehicles in epidemic conditions, the performance of emergency centers has been evaluated based on health protocols. The criteria were first divided into preventive and operational sections by collecting opinions, health experts, standard criteria, and the Delphi method. Preventive criteria for evaluating emergency centers and operating criteria for assessing vehicles in these centers are considered. The weighting of the determined criteria was done by the triangular fuzzy aggregation method. According to the standard criteria, the emergency centers have been evaluated for a 30-day period. The results have been assessed as a qualitative and quantitative matrix using the PROMETHEE method. The results showed better performance of Center A (63%) due to proper performance and better compliance with protocols in both criteria (preventive and operational). The reason for the superiority of this center over Center B can be considered the better performance of this center in terms of prevention indicators and better performance of the center’s vehicles (Ambulance A-1 and Ambulance A-2) in the performance index by observing the standards.