Towards efficient AED deployment: a multi-source data-driven geographic information approach

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) poses a severe public health challenge, and improving the accessibility of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) is crucial for increasing survival rates. This study introduces a comprehensive spatial deployment strategy for AEDs in metropolitan areas, integrating current status assessment, multi-factor modeling, and phased planning, validated in Shanghai’s urban region. Based on Geographic Information System (GIS) software, the current status of AED accessibility was evaluated using two indicators: geographic coverage rate and population coverage rate. Subsequently, a model was constructed by integrating elements of population distribution, medical services, and the urban built environment to determine priority zones for device deployment. 92.022% of the AEDs installed before 2021 were located within the model’s recommended installation zones. Based on the model results, a three-phase device deployment plan was proposed. The completion of the first phase of the deployment plan achieved comparable service coverage to the real-world plan with a reduced number of equipment installations and about 10% more population coverage than the real-world plan. The first phase of the deployment plan expanded geographic coverage by 12.135% and increased the population served by 22.267% compared to the pre-2021 scenario. After completion of all three phases of the deployment plan, it will cover 83.653% of the geographic area and 96.486% of the population in the study area. Multi-source data-driven geographic information strategy for AED deployment strategy showed greater efficiency to better support decision makers in improving accessibility of AEDs in metropolitan areas.