Algorithm to help allocate ambulances automatically

Providing an efficient method to respond to emergencies and assign the nearest ambulance, a team from IIT-M has made an algorithm to mark the accident-prone highways in the state. 

“When there are many emergency cases and very few ambulances, the algorithm will help us jump the queue and assign the nearest vehicle to the appropriate case. It is basically a probability theory or Kaizen theory. We will use mathematical and statistical tools to develop this algorithm, and iterations will be done to perfect the system,” an official from the NRHM said while explaining the functioning of the algorithm. 

Stating that this would help the dynamic allocation of ambulances, the official added, “Right now, it is being done manually. The chief will inform the team in the case of an emergency, following which discussions will be held between one terminal and the other to conclude which case requires ambulance support the most. However, now, it will be automatically allocated using the algorithm.” 

The initiative will primarily focus on road accidents owing to the enormous burden of accident deaths in the state. However, it will also look into other emergencies as well, said Darez Ahmed, director, NRHM.  

“The system will be fed with basic information once the call is placed and the triaging is done automatically. As many cases are that of inter-facility transfers or less critical cases, the queue tends to get long. If most ambulances are full, it can be a challenge to decide which case requires the most attention. It will serve to bring down the burden of deaths due to road accidents and other emergencies, and will also make it much easier for the team which handles emergency cases,” he added.