Determining the number of beds in the postanesthesia care unit: a computer simulation flow approach

Designing a new operating room (OR) suite is a difficult process owing to the number of caregivers involved and because decision-making managers try to minimize the direct and indirect costs of operating the OR suite. In this study, we devised a computer simulation flow model to calculate, first, the minimum number of beds required in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). In a second step, we evaluated the relationship between the global performance of the OR suite in terms of OR scheduling and number of staffed PACU beds and porters. We designed a mathematical model of OR scheduling. We then developed a computer simulation flow model of the OR suite. Both models were connected; the first one performed the input flows, and the second simulated the OR suite running. The simulations performed examined the number of beds in the PACU in an ideal situation or in the case of reduction in the number of porters. We then analyzed the variation of number of beds occupied per hour in the PACU when the time spent by patients in the PACU or the number of porters varied. The results highlighted the strong impact of the number of porters on the OR suite performance and particularly on PACU performances.

Designing new operating room (OR) facilities implies many decisions on the number of ORs, postanesthesia care unit (PACU) beds, and on the staff of nurses and porters. To make these decisions, managers can use rules of thumb or recommendations. Our study highlights the interest of using flow simulation to validate these choices. In this case study we determine the number of PACU beds and porter staff and assess the impact of decreasing the number of porters on PACU bed requirements.