Using Simulation Optimization to Solve Patient Appointment Scheduling and Examination Room Assignment Problems for...

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Medical Imaging
• Operations Research
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Patient appointment scheduling and examination room assignment are complex challenges in radiology departments.
• Ultrasound examinations involve multiple patient types, body parts, and special restrictions, complicating resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and propose optimized solutions for patient appointment scheduling and examination room assignment for ultrasound procedures.
• To enhance operational efficiency, balance workload, and minimize patient waiting times.

Main Methods:

• Simulation optimization techniques were employed to analyze three distinct scenarios.
• Analysis considered factors such as multiple examination rooms, patient types, examination complexities, and specific constraints.

Main Results:

• Scenario 1 suggests an 18-minute interval for patient arrivals.
• Scenario 2 recommends assigning patients to rooms based on weighted cumulative examination points.
• Scenario 3 proposes an arrival rate of three outpatients every 18 minutes, maintaining existing intervals for inpatients and emergency cases.

Conclusions:

• Simulation optimization offers effective solutions for appointment scheduling and room assignment in ultrasound departments.
• Implementing these strategies can lead to balanced technologist workload, high equipment utilization, and reduced patient wait times.