An application of a computer-based decision support system (DSS) to a public facility resource allocation problem: With the Freeport Chronic-Care Hospital as a case study (Ontario).

摘要

The purpose of this thesis was to use the DINAS (Dynamic Interactive Network Analysis System) DSS to determine whether Kitchener was the most suitable location for the Freeport Chronic-Care Hospital, within the Province of Ontario. Methods involve determining which sites in Ontario were suitable for the construction of the Freeport Hospital, and calculating attribute information about those sites. Attribute information included three accessibility indicators: (1) The Average Distance to an Optional Site; (2) Standard Deviation of the Distance to an Optional Site; and (3) the Maximum Distance to an Optional Site. Two utilization pattern variables were also calculated, those being: (1) Population Within the Influence of an Optional Site; and (2) Distance to the Next Nearest Hospital. Data was gathered for two population groups in Ontario, those being: (1) persons 65 years of age or greater; and (2) persons of all ages. DINAS analyzed these attributes and ranked the potential sites in order of suitability. Results indicated that Etobicoke was a more suitable location for the Freeport Hospital than Kitchener. The most suitable site for both study populations, according to the DINAS results, was Etobicoke, Ontario. An in depth discussion of the DINAS ranking of potential locations did indicate that Kitchener may have been the most suitable location for the Freeport Chronic-Care Hospital. The DINAS DSS was found, by the author, to have been useful in a site selection problem of this studyu27s nature. A number of limitations of the study were found to have contributed to the reduced accuracy of the DINAS analysis. However, recommendations were made by the author so as to reduce these limitations and improve upon the DINAS model. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Geography. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses u26 Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1994 .W54. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 33-04, page: 1124. Supervisor: F. Innes. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1994.