Simulation of radiology workflow and throughput.
Emerging electronic health technologies create an unending transformation process. This calls for new ways to plan and prepare the radiology department for these changes. There is a lack of literature addressing ways to predict the effects of implementing and using new technologies in healthcare. Innovative services by means of simulation is a technique that could predict effects of changes beforehand. The aim of this study was to validate the use of discrete event simulation to plan future examination throughput changes in the radiology department of Alingsås Hospital in Sweden after both the investment in a new MRI suite and the closing down of two old rooms. The simulation scenario presented here was based on real life local examination throughput in combination with the total examination throughput from other radiology departments in the region already having MRI suites in use.
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Lars.Lindskold@ki.se
Lars
L
Lindsköld
Mikael
M
Wintell
Peter
P
Aspelin
Nina
N
Lundberg
D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013548:Sweden; D014481:United States; D057188:Workflow