Utility-Based Multicriteria Model for Screening Patients under the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Lucia Reis Peixoto Roselli,Alexandre Ramalho Alberti,Adiel Teixeira De Almeida,Rodrigo José Pires Ferreira,Eduarda Asfora Frej

doi:10.1155/2020/9391251

Lucia Reis Peixoto Roselli, Alexandre Ramalho Alberti + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9391251

Copy DOI

Abstract

In this paper, a utility-based multicriteria model is proposed to support the physicians to deal with an important medical decision—the screening decision problem—given the squeeze put on resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the COVID-19 emerged, the number of patients with an acute respiratory failure has increased in the health units. This chaotic situation has led to a deficiency in health resources. Thus, this study, using the concepts of the multiattribute utility theory (MAUT), puts forward a mathematical model to aid physicians in the screening decision problem. The model is used to generate which of the three alternatives is the best one for where patients with suspected COVID-19 should be treated, namely, an intensive care unit (ICU), a hospital ward, or at home in isolation. Also, a decision information system, called SIDTriagem, is constructed and illustrated to operate the mathematical model proposed.

Highlights

IntroductionAt the start of the current year (2020), the COVID-19 disease, caused by the new coronavirus (the SARS-CoV-2), was deemed to be an epidemic
At the start of the current year (2020), the COVID-19 disease, caused by the new coronavirus, was deemed to be an epidemic
During the development of the system, three physicians were consulted by an analyst in order to find out what would make them feel more comfortable about providing such information

Summary

Introduction

At the start of the current year (2020), the COVID-19 disease, caused by the new coronavirus (the SARS-CoV-2), was deemed to be an epidemic. Since the COVID-19 has emerged, it has been present in different degrees of illness in the human organism, causing, in severe cases, acute respiratory failure [1,2,3]. In this context, this disease has resulted in an increasing number of patients requiring hospital treatments, especially in intensive care units (ICUs) with the support of mechanical ventilation equipment. To deal with this chaotic situation, it is fundamental to have decision-making strategies in place as these are important to ensure that the expectation of the survival of COVID-19 patients can be maximized. In such situations, which involves a risk context, it is important to conduct a rational decision-making process in order to be able to save the majority of patients [4]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion