Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

An examination of alternative emergency ambulance systems: Contributions from an economic geography perspective

1979; Pergamon Press; Volume: 13; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0160-8002(79)90054-6

1878-3899

Dale D. Achabal, Milton E.F. Schoeman,

Urban and Freight Transport Logistics

An integral element in determining the level and quality of emergency care a patient receives is the structure of the ambulance system functioning within the emergency medical services (EMS) suprasystem. In many studies, the question of whether ambulance services should be provided through competitive or municipally regulated and/or operated systems is ignored, or implicitly assumed through the selection of system operating criteria or constraints. This paper shows, in a spatial context, that the ambulance location pattern in an urban area is strongly influenced by the competitive environment. The primary decision revolves around whether emergency medical services are provided through totally independent operators or as part of a municipally regulated and/or operated EMS system. In essence, a choice between a competitive or municipal system is a matter of relative governmental control over public services. Both the competitive and socially optimal location patterns are considered in light of their impact on patient survival and resource utilization.