Simulation and Analysis of Hospital Operations and Resource Utilization Using RFID Data

We have constructed a simulation model of operations and resource utilization in a hospital. The inputs for the model have been derived from the data recorded over daily periods by RFID devices attached to hospital assets. The RFID data was obtained from the Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee, FL. The raw data contains the information about the location of critical resources (e.g., IV pumps) recorded at 10-second time intervals. This data can be processed and used for inferring general statistical distributions of assets utilization time and rules characterizing the operations of a hospital. The ARENA simulation model was created to study the process of patient flow through the hospital system and identify potential sources and locations of delays associated with equipment utilization. The output of the ARENA model is analyzed. The primary observation is that the hospital system is functioning well under the scenarios of low or moderate patient load, and the most significant delays under the conditions of high patient load appear in a specific hospital unit (Labor and Delivery). We also identify the directions for further extensions and generalizations of the model with the ultimate goal of lowering operating expenses and improving patient safety.