Improve an emergency medical system capacity with Theory of Constraints

Bernardo Villarreal*, Jose Arturo Garza Reyes, Jenny Diaz Ramirez, Aracely Carranza, Gabriela Morales, Arturo Quezada

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The measure of ambulance cycle time is of particular interest in the performance of Emergency Medical Systems (EMS). Its value determines the ambulance capacity of the operations system of an EMS institution. For a given number of ambulances in operation, as the value of the average ambulance cycle time increases, total ambulance capacity for the system is reduced. Additional impacts resulting from this situation are; an increase on the average ambulance response time and patient's health risk due to the unavailability of ambulances; and a greater need of ambulance replacement investment requirements and operating cost. This work suggests an improvement approach based on Theory of Constraints (TOC) and elimination of waste for reducing ambulance cycle time. The approach is applied to a Mexican EMS institution based on metropolitan Monterrey. Results of the application are provided.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management
PublisherIEOM Society
Pages20-34
Number of pages15
Volume2018
EditionJUL
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2018
Event2nd European International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.IEOM 2018 -
Duration: 26 Jul 201827 Jul 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management

Conference

Conference2nd European International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.IEOM 2018
Period26/7/1827/7/18

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Strategy and Management
  • Management Science and Operations Research
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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