title: The use of simulation in planning the transportation of patients to hospitals following a disaster.
abstract: The characteristics of disaster management are outlined. Planning for the efficient management of a disaster is described. The level of preparedness for disasters can be increased using simulation models in conjunction with drills. With the simulation model, "what-if" analyses are performed to predict the consequences of conceivable scenarios. Emergency medical service personnel will find such computer simulation models a useful supplement to their standard training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Decision Sciences and MIS, School of Business and Administration, Saint Louis University, MO 63108, USA.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Christie
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Levary
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000552:Ambulances; D002648:Child; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters / Q000145:classification; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D005544:Forecasting; D006295:Health Resources; D006739:Hospital Administration; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States