title: Using models and data to support optimization of the Military Health System: a case study in an intensive care unit.
abstract: Optimizing healthcare delivery--improving processes to reduce impediments to care--is an important goal of the Military Health System. Models and data can be effective tools to assist managers in achieving this goal. This paper illustrates this utility with a case study of the intensive care unit (ICU) at the US Air Force's Wilford Hall Medical Center. A discrete-event simulation demonstrates how the integration of corporate data and ICU data through a model can help identify changes intended to improve ICU performance. Results of the analysis describe impacts of ICU size and bed mix, operating policies, and the deployment of ICU staff on measures of occupancy, congestion, and physician training needs.
authors.affiliation: Wilford Hall Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Masterson
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Mihara
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Randolph
authors.forename: M Emma
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Forkner
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Crouter
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D014481:United States