The use of simulation for process improvement in a cancer treatment center

Author

Sepúlveda, José A. ; Thompson, William J. ; Baesler, Felipe F. ; Alvarez, Maria I. ; Cahoon, Lonnie E., III

Author_Institution

Dept. of Ind. Eng. & Manage. Syst., Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

Volume

2

fYear

1999

fDate

1999

Firstpage

1541

Abstract

This work addresses experience with a simulation model of a full service cancer treatment center. The objective was to analyze patient flow throughout the unit, evaluate the impact of alternative floor layouts, using different scheduling options and to analyze resources and patient flow requirements of a new building. The simulation model provided strong justification to relocate the center´s laboratory and pharmacy as well as identifying changes in scheduling procedures that would allow a 30% increase in patient throughput with the same resources. The new building analysis identified a waiting room area that was too small for the increased patient flow

Keywords

cancer; digital simulation; medical administrative data processing; resource allocation; scheduling; alternative floor layouts; building analysis; cancer treatment center; patient flow; patient flow requirements; patient throughput; pharmacy; process improvement; resource analysis; scheduling options; scheduling procedures; simulation model; waiting room area; Cancer; Engineering management; Floors; Hospitals; Industrial engineering; Job shop scheduling; Laboratories; Medical treatment; Oncology; Throughput;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Simulation Conference Proceedings, 1999 Winter

Conference_Location

Phoenix, AZ

Print_ISBN

0-7803-5780-9

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/WSC.1999.816890

Filename

816890