Modeling and analysis of the emergency department at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital using simulations.
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.
Brenner
Stuart
S
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Center for Manufacturing, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA.
Zeng
Zhen
Z
Liu
Yang
Y
Wang
Junwen
J
Li
Jingshan
J
Howard
Patricia K
PK
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