An agent-based simulation study on the effect of ambulance dispatch policies on patient mortality in hospital systems: a disaster response test case
Résumé
Emergency management is the effective planning and execution of resources to reduce mortality rates while protecting critical assets. This study examines the impact of emergency strategy policies on an emergency scenario. A test case was examined where a mobile field hospital (MFH) supported a regional hospital (RH) during a post-disaster incident. The strategy of this study involves the use of agent-based modelling and simulation (ABMS) (NetLogo 6.3.0), which involves the representation of interacting agents within a system defined by simple rules and goals. Model data were sampled and analysed using BehaviorSpace, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and Python (Pandas Tools). The validation was carried out using a scenario-based tabletop role-playing game (tRPG). The strategy with MFH as a support system produced better results. However, the validation results highlighted the challenge of using RPG in ABM validation. This study demonstrated the value and promise of ABMS and tRPG techniques.