Simulation analysis of an outpatient services facility.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare management
• Operations research
• Facility planning

Background:

• Anderson Memorial Hospital is constructing a new Outpatient Services Center.
• This center will consolidate existing hospital and offsite outpatient services.
• A simulation model is crucial for planning this new facility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze outpatient services utilization for the new facility.
• To evaluate patient waiting and flow times within the proposed center.
• To determine minimum facility design requirements based on expected demand.

Main Methods:

• Development of a simulation model using historical data.
• Analysis of key performance indicators including utilization, wait times, and queue sizes.
• Utilizing simulation outputs to inform facility design decisions.

Main Results:

• The simulation model provided insights into outpatient service utilization patterns.
• Analysis identified potential bottlenecks and areas for efficiency improvements.
• Data informed specific design requirements, such as optimal waiting room size.

Conclusions:

• Simulation modeling is an effective tool for healthcare facility planning.
• Data-driven design ensures facilities meet projected patient demand.
• Optimized facility design can improve patient experience and operational efficiency.