Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
09:52
Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Using computer simulation to reduce access time for outpatient departments.
S G Elkhuizen1, S F Das, P J M Bakker
1Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Department of Innovation and Process Management, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. s.g.elkhuizen@amc.uva.nl
Quality & Safety in Health Care
|October 5, 2007
Summary
Developed hospital capacity models to analyze appointment scheduling needs. Analytical models offered quick insights, while simulation models optimized resource allocation, improving patient access times and reducing unnecessary capacity.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Operations Research
- Queuing Theory
Background:
- Appointment-based hospital facilities require efficient capacity management to ensure timely patient access.
- Existing methods may lack the flexibility to account for daily demand and capacity variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate generalizable models for analyzing healthcare capacity needs in appointment-based systems.
- To assess the capacity required to meet specific patient access time targets and eliminate backlogs.
Main Methods:
- Employed an analytical queuing model for rapid, global capacity assessment.
- Developed a simulation model to incorporate daily variations in patient demand and provider schedules.
- Applied both models to neurology and gynaecology outpatient departments.
Main Results:
- For neurology, 26 extra consultations/week for 2 months eliminated a 6-week backlog; ongoing increases maintained 2-week access.
- The gynaecology department demonstrated sufficient existing capacity.
- Simulation indicated a potential 14% capacity reduction while maintaining service levels.
Conclusions:
- Analytical models provide swift insights into capacity deficits.
- Simulation models enhance decision-making by considering demand variability and scheduling realism.
- The models are broadly applicable, aiding departments with both capacity shortages and surpluses.
