title: Application of computer simulation analysis to assess the effects of relocating a hospital phlebotomy department.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study describes a systematic approach to assess the effects of relocating a hospital department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the phlebotomy service as an example, computer simulation was applied to predict changes in performance indicators, such as patient turn-around time (TAT), when planning a procedural and/or architectural redesign.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average patient TAT fell from 12 to 8 min, enabling the department to cope with any increase in numbers of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This type of study can provide useful information in assessing the consequences of future changes in the location of a hospital department.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. Siebren.Groothuis@mi.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Siebren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Groothuis
authors.forename: Henk M J
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Goldschmidt
authors.forename: Esther J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Drupsteen
authors.forename: Jules C M
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasman
authors.forename: Godefridus G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: van Merode
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009726:Nurses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000451:nursing; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012985:Software Design; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data