A configurable computer simulation model for reducing patient waiting time in oncology departments

Nowadays, the increase in patient demand and the decline in resources are lengthening patient waiting times in many chemotherapy oncology departments. Therefore, enhancing healthcare services is necessary to reduce patient complaints. Reducing the patient waiting times in the oncology departments represents one of the main goals of healthcare managers. Simulation models are considered an effective tool for identifying potential ways to improve patient flow in oncology departments. This paper presents a new agent-based simulation model designed to be configurable and adaptable to the needs of oncology departments which have to interact with an external pharmacy. When external pharmacies are utilised, a courier service is needed to deliver the individual therapies from the pharmacy to the oncology department. An oncology department located in southern Italy was studied through the simulation model and different scenarios were compared with the aim of selecting the department configuration capable of reducing the patient waiting times.