Date of Award

3-24-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Operational Sciences

First Advisor

Alan W. Johnson, PhD.

Abstract

A significant shortfall exists in the medical capability provided to US Service members deployed to the African Area of Responsibility because of unknown epidemiology, large distances, limited resources, and high patient movement cost. The first step in closing this gap is to understand the types, demographics, diagnoses, and distribution of the patients requiring aeromedical evacuation. This research examined the DoD’s aeromedical evacuation missions from Africa between 2010 and 2014. Of the 274 patients and 170 missions identified from available data, a gap is evident in aeromedical evacuation capability with over 23% of Priority patients and almost 10% of Urgent patients picked-up beyond the critical 24-hour mark. A decision tree and web-based decision support tool are proposed that identified improper airlift choice in 46 of the 170 missions examined. These decisions cost the DoD $2.6M. Making better aeromedical movement decisions can enable the DoD to reallocate funds to reduce the existing medical gap in Africa.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENS-MS-16-M-105

DTIC Accession Number

AD1053970

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