To assess how trauma care resources can be reallocated among hospitals to enhance timely access while adhering to resource constraints.
Approach:
Geospatial Optimization Model: The model evaluates alternative distributions of trauma care capability among hospitals, quantifying effects on population-level access based on inputs like population distribution, injury incidence, transport times, and hospital locations.
Data Collection: Data was collected from the Gyeonggi-do Severe Trauma Transport Status report and other sources, covering January 2022 to December 2023, focusing on severe traumatic injury rates and hospital capabilities.
Key Findings:
The model identifies optimal hospital configurations for trauma care to maximize access under defined resource constraints.
Comparative analysis of investment and divestment scenarios estimates marginal access gains or losses from resource allocation decisions.
Interpretation:
The approach provides a framework for health systems and policymakers to assess access consequences of trauma system configurations before committing resources.
Limitations:
The study relied on aggregated, nonidentifiable data, limiting direct patient involvement.
Findings are based on a specific regional context (Gyeonggi province, South Korea), which may not be generalizable.
Conclusion:
The geospatial optimization model serves as a decision support tool for trauma system planning, aiming to improve access to trauma care.
