title: Modeling and analysis of the emergency department at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital using simulations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this article, we present a simulation study conducted in the emergency department at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on analysis of process and flow data, a simulation model of patient throughput in the emergency department has been developed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  What-if analyses have been proposed to identify bottlenecks and investigate the optimal numbers of human and equipment resources (eg, nurses, physicians, and radiology technology). The simulation results suggest that 3 additional nurses are needed to ensure desired clinical outcomes. Diagnostic testing, the computed tomography scan in particular, is found to be a bottleneck. As a result, acquisition of an additional computed tomography scanner is recommended. Hospital management has accepted the recommendations, and implementation is in progress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Such a model provides a quantitative tool for continuous improvement and process control in the emergency department and also is applicable to other departments in the hospital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Center for Manufacturing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Junwen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jingshan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Patricia K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Howard
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000720:Ancillary Services, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003198:Computer Simulation; D016529:Emergency Nursing; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057188:Workflow; D000078329:Workforce