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A simulation model to analyse automation scenarios in decontamination centers
Marzieh Ghiyasinasab1, Nadia Lahrichi1, Nadia Lehoux2
1Department of mathematics and industrial engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Canada.
Health Systems (Basingstoke, England)
|May 26, 2023
Summary
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) can enhance surgical instrument decontamination by reducing treatment times and improving worker safety. This research analyzes AGV implementation to boost efficiency and capacity in sterilization departments.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Operations Management
- Industrial Engineering
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Sterilization departments are critical for patient safety, providing essential services for reusable surgical instruments.
- Increasing automation in decontamination processes is a market trend aimed at enhancing productivity and minimizing human error and injuries.
- Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) offer potential for improving safety and efficiency in sterilization workflows.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the application of AGVs for automating internal transfers within sterilization departments.
- To analyze the impact of AGVs on the safety, efficiency, and capacity of decontamination processes.
- To identify optimal AGV implementation scenarios through simulation and Design of Experiments.
Main Methods:
- Development of a generic simulation model based on data from multiple decontamination centers.
- Validation of the simulation model for a specific decontamination center.
- Conducting a Design of Experiments to evaluate various AGV implementation strategies.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions in treatment time and work-in-process inventory were observed.
- The study demonstrated the feasibility of maintaining medical instrument accessibility with AGV integration.
- Implementation of AGVs contributed to enhanced worker safety within the sterilization environment.
Conclusions:
- AGVs present a viable solution for automating internal transfers in sterilization departments, leading to improved operational efficiency.
- The integration of AGVs can increase the capacity of decontamination centers while upholding high standards of patient safety and instrument availability.
- Further research and strategic implementation of AGVs are recommended to fully realize their benefits in healthcare settings.
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