title: The study of the optimal parameter settings in a hospital supply chain system in Taiwan.
abstract: This study proposed the optimal parameter settings for the hospital supply chain system (HSCS) when either the total system cost (TSC) or patient safety level (PSL) (or both simultaneously) was considered as the measure of the HSCS's performance. Four parameters were considered in the HSCS: safety stock, maximum inventory level, transportation capacity, and the reliability of the HSCS. A full-factor experimental design was used to simulate an HSCS for the purpose of collecting data. The response surface method (RSM) was used to construct the regression model, and a genetic algorithm (GA) was applied to obtain the optimal parameter settings for the HSCS. The results show that the best method of obtaining the optimal parameter settings for the HSCS is the simultaneous consideration of both the TSC and the PSL to measure performance. Also, the results of sensitivity analysis based on the optimal parameter settings were used to derive adjustable strategies for the decision-makers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Administration, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Section 1, Jian-Koa N. Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan ; Department of Medical Management, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, No. 110, Section 1, Jian-Koa N. Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hung-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Administration, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Section 1, Jian-Koa N. Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan ; Department of Medical Management, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, No. 110, Section 1, Jian-Koa N. Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Meng-Hao
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Foreign Languages, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Section 1, Jian-Koa N. Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan ; Department of Medical Education, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, No. 110, Section 1, Jian-Koa N. Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ya-huei
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D013624:Taiwan