EMS Operations Management: Simulation, Optimization, and New Service Models

EMS is critical to health care industry. In this tutorial, we provide a glimpse of significant research achievements in EMS operations management. We focus on simulation modeling and their use in real-time ambulance dispatching, routing (ED selection), and redeployment/relocation decisions. We introduce optimization-based studies on ambulance management policies that have gained significant attention over the recent decade. We next describe our recent studies that optimize two emerging service models with the potential of revolutionizing EMS delivery, especially in areas with poor EMS access. Lastly, we describe prominent challenges at present, offer reflections on ongoing work, and outline future research.