Healthcare Logistics System Planning for Facility Location of Aging Society

Abstract

Healthcare facility location management is essential to the public infrastructure, particularly as it relates to access to the healthcare system. Therefore, the locations of primary healthcare centers (PHCs) must be sufficient to accommodate the size of the elderly population in the future. Thailand is entering an aging society. Most of research studied to improve service quality of healthcare more than consider amount of location of PHCs. So, the purpose of this study was to applied a geographic information system (GIS) to study coverage area of accessing to health facility location under condition of increasing elderly population. It analyzed by using the Dijkstra Algorithm and concept of last mile delivery center.  For the elderly population, this research applied auto regression to forecast elderly population.  The study found the population of elderly people will increase in every district by 2025, with the highest increase being in Khlong Sam Wa. The original locations point of PHCs in Bangkok included 145 locations, which can accommodate an area for the elderly to access a PHC. Health services need to be easily accessible by walking in 5-15 minutes [1]. Thus, the problem is the current locations of PHCs are insufficient to support a future aging society. This research applied the location of Covid-19 vaccine distribution model (CVDM) to support the positioning of healthcare services. The CVDM comprised 191 pharmacies/clinics then analysis the service coverage area. The point of location CVDM and PHCs which showed health services coverage by comparing walking times. This modal can increase service covering of walking in 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes of 4.34%, 11.78% and 20.35%, respectively. The efficiency of service cover-age for primary and secondary medical care for elder can be improved if the location of health service centers is increased.