title: An optimization based on simulation approach to the patient admission scheduling problem: diagnostic imaging department case study.
abstract: The growing influx of patients in healthcare providers is the result of an aging population and emerging self-consciousness about health. In order to guarantee the welfare of all the healthcare stakeholders, it is mandatory to implement methodologies that optimize the healthcare providers' efficiency while increasing patient throughput and reducing patient's total waiting time. This paper presents a case study of a conventional radiology workflow analysis in a Portuguese healthcare provider. Modeling tools were applied to define the existing workflow. Re-engineered workflows were analyzed using the developed simulation tool. The integration of modeling and simulation tools allowed the identification of system bottlenecks. The new workflow of an imaging department entails a reduction of 41 % of the total completion time.
authors.affiliation: LEPAE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Roberto Frias S/N, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Conceição
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Granja
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Almada-Lobo
authors.forename: Filipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Janela
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.forename: Adélio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mendes
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003198:Computer Simulation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011174:Portugal; D011871:Radiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057188:Workflow
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