A multi-objective combinatorial model of casualty processing in major incident response

Wilson, D.T.; Hawe, G.I.; Coates, G.; Crouch, R.S.

Abstract

During the emergency response to mass casualty incidents decisions relating to the extrication, treatment and transporting of casualties are made in a real-time, sequential manner. In this paper we describe a novel combinatorial optimization model of this problem which acknowledges its temporal nature by employing a scheduling approach. The model is of a multi-objective nature, utilizing a lexicographic view to combine objectives in a manner which capitalizes on their natural ordering of priority. The model includes pertinent details regarding the stochastic nature of casualty health, the spatial nature of multi-site emergencies and the dynamic capacity of hospitals. A Variable Neighborhood Descent metaheuristic is employed in order to solve the model. The model is evaluated over a range of potential problems, with results confirming its effective and robust nature.

Citation

Wilson, D., Hawe, G., Coates, G., & Crouch, R. (2013). A multi-objective combinatorial model of casualty processing in major incident response. European Journal of Operational Research, 230(3), 643-655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2013.04.040

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: Apr 24, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 10, 2014
• Journal: European Journal of Operational Research
• Print ISSN: 0377-2217
• Electronic ISSN: 1872-6860
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 230
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 643-655
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2013.04.040
• Keywords: Scheduling, Combinatorial optimization, Emergency response.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1478186