GEMAR: web-based GIS for emergency management and ambulance routing.

Abstract

In this study, we developed a web-based emergency management system to provide timely treatments to patients in emergency conditions. With the integration of geospatial information and technologies, a global positioning system, and optimization technique, we designed a system consisting of two subsystems, emergency reporting and ambulance routing. The reporting subsystem helps in collecting emergency information in urban areas using geocoding and geolocation function, while the routing subsystem generates the optimal route for pick-up operation and selects the nearest hospital for patient delivery process. A committee of 10 experts comprising of seven medical experts and three GIS experts are invited to use the system. We performed system evaluation in terms of technology acceptance and usability issues. The technology acceptance's mean score ranged from 3.70 to 4.40, while the usability means score ranged from 4.00 to 4.50. The results indicated that the system provided user-friendliness features so that they are willing to use the system in the near future. The medical experts also perceived that the system was easy to operate and navigate. They stated that the two subsystems are helpful for clinical operators to understand a common situation in emergency handling. We used their feedback to further improve and refine the program.