title: Quality Improvement With Discrete Event Simulation: A Primer for Radiologists.
abstract: The application of simulation software in health care has transformed quality and process improvement. Specifically, software based on discrete-event simulation (DES) has shown the ability to improve radiology workflows and systems. Nevertheless, despite the successful application of DES in the medical literature, the power and value of simulation remains underutilized. For this reason, the basics of DES modeling are introduced, with specific attention to medical imaging. In an effort to provide readers with the tools necessary to begin their own DES analyses, the practical steps of choosing a software package and building a basic radiology model are discussed. In addition, three radiology system examples are presented, with accompanying DES models that assist in analysis and decision making. Through these simulations, we provide readers with an understanding of the theory, requirements, and benefits of implementing DES in their own radiology practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California. Electronic address: booker.michael@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Booker
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Bhushan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Vinay A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Duddalwar
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017146:Models, Organizational; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D020399:Practice Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011871:Radiology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012984:Software; D014481:United States; D057188:Workflow
keywords: Quality improvement; discrete event simulation; process improvement; workflow simulation software