title: Using ArcGIS software in the pre-hospital emergency medical system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the accessibility to healtcare services in order to reveal their quality and to improve the overall coverage, continuity and other features.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the software ESRI Arc GIS 9.3, the Network Analyst function and data provided by Ambulance Service of Iasi (A.S.I.) with emergencies statistics for the first four months of 2012, processed by Microsoft Office Excel 2010. As examples, we chose "St. Maria" Children's Emergency Hospital and "St. Spiridon" Emergency Hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ArcGIS Network Analyst finds the best route to get from one location to another or a route that includes multiple locations. Each route is characterized by three stops. The starting point is always the office of Ambulance Service of Iasi (A.S.I.), a second stop at the case address and the third to the hospital unit chosen according to the patient's diagnosis and age. Spatial distribution of emergency cases for the first four months of 2012 in these two examples is one unequable, with higher concentrations in districts located in two areas of the city.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presented examples highlight the poor coverage of healthcare services for the population of Iasi, Romania, especially the South-West area and its vulnerability in situations of emergency. Implementing such a broad project would lead to more complex analyses that would improve the situation of pre-hospital emergency medical services, with final goal to deserve the population, improve the quality of healthcare and develop the interdisciplinary relationships.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Manole
authors: Odetta
authors: O
authors: Duma
authors: Maria Alexandra
authors: MA
authors: Custură
authors: F D
authors: FD
authors: Petrariu
authors: Alina
authors: A
authors: Manole
mesh_terms: D004630:Emergencies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012383:Romania; D012984:Software