title: Discrete-event simulation applied to analysis of waiting lists. Evaluation of a prioritization system for cataract surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To outline the methods used to build a discrete-event simulation model for use in decision-making in the context of waiting list management strategies for cataract surgery by comparing a waiting list prioritization system with the routinely used first-in, first-out (FIFO) discipline.
  
  
  METHODS
  The setting was the Spanish health system. The model reproduced the process of cataract, from incidence of need of surgery (meeting indication criteria), through demand, inclusion on a waiting list, and surgery. "Nonexpressed Need" represented the population that, even with need, would not be included on a waiting list. Parameters were estimated from administrative data and research databases. The impact of introducing a prioritization system on the waiting list compared with the FIFO system was assessed. For all patients entering the waiting list, the main outcome variable was waiting time weighted by priority score. A sensitivity analysis with different scenarios of mean waiting time was used to compare the two alternatives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prioritization system shortened waiting time (weighted by priority score) by 1.55 months (95% CI: 1.47 to 1.62) compared with the FIFO system. This difference was statistically significant for all scenarios (which were defined from a waiting time of 4 months to 24 months under the FIFO system). A tendency to greater time savings in scenarios with longer waiting times was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Discrete-event simulation is useful in decision-making when assessing health services. Introducing a waiting list prioritization system produced greater benefit than allocating surgery by waiting time only. Use of the simulation model would allow the impact of proposed policies to reduce waiting lists or assign resources more efficiently to be tested.
authors.affiliation: Evaluation and Clinical Epidemiology Department, Hospital del Mar (IMAS), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercè
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Comas
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Castells
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoffmeister
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Román
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cots
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mar
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Moreno
authors.forename: Mireia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Espallargues
mesh_terms: D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D013030:Spain; D014850:Waiting Lists