Using simulation modeling to improve patient flow at an outpatient orthopedic clinic

We report on the use of discrete event simulation modeling to support process improvements at an orthopedic outpatient clinic. The clinic was effective in treating patients, but waiting time and congestion in the clinic created patient dissatisfaction and staff morale issues. The modeling helped to...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health care management science 2011-06, Vol.14 (2), p.135-145
Main Authors: Rohleder, Thomas R., Lewkonia, Peter, Bischak, Diane P., Duffy, Paul, Hendijani, Rosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ambulatory Care Facilities - organization & administration
Appointments and Schedules
Business and Management
Case studies
Clinics
Computer Simulation
Econometrics
Efficiency, Organizational
Health Administration
Health care
Health care policy
Health Informatics
Humans
Management
Operations Research/Decision Theory
Orthopedics
Orthopedics - organization & administration
Outpatient care facilities
Patients
Personnel Staffing and Scheduling - organization & administration
Process Assessment (Health Care)
Research methodology
Scheduling
Simulation
Studies
Systems Analysis
Time Factors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We report on the use of discrete event simulation modeling to support process improvements at an orthopedic outpatient clinic. The clinic was effective in treating patients, but waiting time and congestion in the clinic created patient dissatisfaction and staff morale issues. The modeling helped to identify improvement alternatives including optimized staffing levels, better patient scheduling, and an emphasis on staff arriving promptly. Quantitative results from the modeling provided motivation to implement the improvements. Statistical analysis of data taken before and after the implementation indicate that waiting time measures were significantly improved and overall patient time in the clinic was reduced.
ISSN:1386-9620
1572-9389
DOI:10.1007/s10729-010-9145-4