Quality Improvement With Discrete Event Simulation: A Primer for Radiologists

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Medical Imaging Systems
• Simulation Modeling

Background:

• Simulation software, particularly discrete-event simulation (DES), has proven effective in improving healthcare quality and processes.
• While DES has been applied successfully in medical literature, its potential in healthcare, especially radiology, remains underutilized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the fundamental principles of discrete-event simulation (DES) modeling.
• To provide practical guidance on selecting DES software and developing radiology-specific models.
• To demonstrate the application and benefits of DES in radiology through system examples.

Main Methods:

• Explanation of discrete-event simulation (DES) modeling concepts.
• Discussion of practical steps for software selection and model building for radiology.
• Presentation of three case studies with accompanying DES models for radiology systems.

Main Results:

• The study outlines the foundational knowledge required for DES implementation in healthcare settings.
• Practical examples illustrate how DES models can be used for analysis and decision-making in radiology.
• The benefits of integrating DES into radiology practices for process improvement are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Discrete-event simulation (DES) offers significant, yet underutilized, potential for enhancing radiology workflows and quality improvement.
• This work equips readers with the necessary understanding and practical steps to begin applying DES in their radiology practices.
• Implementing DES can lead to better analysis, informed decision-making, and optimized radiology system performance.