A Markov Chain Model for an EMS System with Repositioning

Production and Operations Management, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 216-231, January-February 2013

University of Alberta School of Business Research Paper No. 2013-07

18 Pages Posted: 5 Mar 2013

See all articles by Ramon Alanis

Ramon Alanis

Independent

Armann Ingolfsson

University of Alberta - Department of Accounting, Operations & Information Systems

Bora Kolfal

University of Alberta - Department of Accounting, Operations & Information Systems

Date Written: February 21, 2013

Abstract

We propose and analyze a two-dimensional Markov chain model of an Emergency Medical Services system that repositions ambulances using a compliance table policy, which is commonly used in practice. The model is solved via a fixed-point iteration. We validate the model against a detailed simulation model for several scenarios. We demonstrate that the model provides accurate approximations to various system performance measures, such as the response time distribution and the distribution of the number of busy ambulances, and that it can be used to identify near-optimal compliance tables. Our numerical results show that performance depends strongly on the compliance table that is used, indicating the importance of choosing a well-designed compliance table.

Keywords: health care, ambulance service, repositioning, system status management, fleet management

Suggested Citation

Alanis Trevino, Ramon and Ingolfsson, Armann and Kolfal, Bora, A Markov Chain Model for an EMS System with Repositioning (February 21, 2013). Production and Operations Management, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 216-231, January-February 2013, University of Alberta School of Business Research Paper No. 2013-07, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2222231

Ramon Alanis Trevino

Independent

Armann Ingolfsson (Contact Author)

University of Alberta - Department of Accounting, Operations & Information Systems ( email )

Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R6
Canada

Bora Kolfal

University of Alberta - Department of Accounting, Operations & Information Systems ( email )

Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2R6
Canada

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