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Spatial Accessibility Assessment of Prehospital EMS with a Focus on the Elderly Population: A Case Study in Ningbo, China

Author

Listed:
  • Huanhuan Zhu

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    These authors contributed to the work equally and should be regarded as co-first authors.)

  • Lin Pan

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    These authors contributed to the work equally and should be regarded as co-first authors.)

  • Yiji Li

    (Ningbo Medical Emergency Center, Ningbo 315000, China)

  • Huiming Jin

    (Ningbo Medical Emergency Center, Ningbo 315000, China)

  • Qian Wang

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China)

  • Xin Liu

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China)

  • Cong Wang

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China)

  • Peng Liao

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China)

  • Xinyang Jiang

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China)

  • Luo Li

    (School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
    Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment of the Ministry of Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China)

Abstract

The spatial accessibility of prehospital EMS is particularly important for the elderly population’s physiological functions. Due to the recent expansion of aging populations all over the globe, elderly people’s spatial accessibility to prehospital EMS presents a serious challenge. An efficient strategy to address this issue involves using geographic information systems (GIS)-based tools to evaluate the spatial accessibility in conjunction with the spatial distribution of aging people, available road networks, and prehospital EMS facilities. This study employed gravity model and empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) interpolation analysis to evaluate the elderly’s spatial access to prehospital EMS in Ningbo, China. In our study, we aimed to solve the following specific research questions: In the study area, “what are the characteristics of the prehospital EMS demand of the elderly?” “Do the elderly have equal and convenient spatial access to prehospital EMS?” and “How can we satisfy the prehospital EMS demand of an aging population, improve their spatial access to prehospital EMS, and then ensure their quality of life?” The results showed that 37.44% of patients admitted to prehospital EMS in 2020 were 65 years and older. The rate of utilization of ambulance services by the elderly was 27.39 per 1000 elderly residents. Ambulance use by the elderly was the highest in the winter months and the lowest in the spring months (25.90% vs. 22.38%). As for the disease spectrum, the main disease was found to be trauma and intoxication (23.70%). The mean accessibility score was only 1.43 and nearly 70% of demand points had scored lower than 1. The elderly’s spatial accessibility to prehospital EMS had a central-outward gradient decreasing trend from the central region to the southeast and southwest of the study area. Our proposed methodology and its spatial equilibrium results could be taken as a benchmark of prehospital care capacity and help inform authorities’ efforts to develop efficient, aging-focused spatial accessibility plans.

Suggested Citation

  • Huanhuan Zhu & Lin Pan & Yiji Li & Huiming Jin & Qian Wang & Xin Liu & Cong Wang & Peng Liao & Xinyang Jiang & Luo Li, 2021. "Spatial Accessibility Assessment of Prehospital EMS with a Focus on the Elderly Population: A Case Study in Ningbo, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:9964-:d:640638
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Nina Tumosa, 2023. "Using the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework to Track Wellness and Health Promotion Priorities of Older Adults in the Global Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-5, March.

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