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Article
Improving Flow in Healthcare Clinics through Simulation
Proceedings of the 62nd IIE Annual Conference and Expo (2012, Orlando, FL)
  • Elizabeth A. Cudney, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Devan Scroggins
  • Susan L. Murray, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Abhijit Gosavi, Missouri University of Science and Technology
Abstract

Clinic space is at a premium and yet it is often poorly utilized. This paper focuses on optimizing space layout, improving flow, and reducing waste in healthcare facilities using simulation modeling of a number of alternative layouts. The main concern raised by the stakeholders surrounds how space affects the interaction between staff, which is addressed through a simulation model that measures the collocation of staff in various clinic spaces. In addition, the amount of space by type necessary for implementation is evaluated for each alternative, utilizing information such as the floor plan, square footage, and utilization of resources obtained from the simulation model. The utilization of resources (people, equipment, and rooms) is directly measured through associated metrics, which also determines space requirements. The waste is then reduced in the layouts by analyzing the utilization metrics and addressing non-value added metrics (i.e., walking, waiting) in the simulation models for the alternatives. This paper presents the development of the simulation model and its application using four healthcare clinic layouts.

Meeting Name
62nd IIE Annual Conference and Expo (2012: May 19-23, Orlando, FL)
Department(s)
Engineering Management and Systems Engineering
Second Department
Psychological Science
Keywords and Phrases
  • Exhibitions,
  • Health care,
  • Wastes,
  • Healthcare facility,
  • Improve flow,
  • ITS applications,
  • Non-value added,
  • Resource utilizations,
  • Simulation model,
  • Space requirements,
  • Utilization of resources,
  • Computer simulation,
  • Healthcare layout
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2012 Institue of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
5-23-2012
Publication Date
23 May 2012
Citation Information
Elizabeth A. Cudney, Devan Scroggins, Susan L. Murray and Abhijit Gosavi. "Improving Flow in Healthcare Clinics through Simulation" Proceedings of the 62nd IIE Annual Conference and Expo (2012, Orlando, FL) (2012) p. 415 - 424
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/abhijit-gosavi/9/