Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2025
11:12
Driving Simulation in the Clinic: Testing Visual Exploratory Behavior in Daily Life Activities in Patients with Visual Field Defects
Published on: September 18, 2012
17.4K
USING DISCRETE-EVENT SIMULATION TO FIND WAYS TO REDUCE PATIENT WAIT TIME IN A GLAUCOMA CLINIC
Junhong Guo1, Trevor Hoffman1, Amy Cohn1
1Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, 1205 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
Proceedings of the ... Winter Simulation Conference. Winter Simulation Conference
|February 14, 2024
Summary
This study used simulation to identify bottlenecks causing long patient wait times at a glaucoma clinic. The most cost-effective policy for reducing wait times was recommended to improve patient care.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Healthcare Operations Research
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Long patient wait times are a significant issue in glaucoma clinics, impacting patient access to care.
- The Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan (UM) faces challenges with extended patient wait times.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key bottlenecks contributing to prolonged patient wait times in a glaucoma clinic.
- To evaluate potential solutions for mitigating these wait times through simulation.
Main Methods:
- Development of a discrete-event simulation model to represent clinic workflow.
- Analysis of various resource supplementation policies (staffing, equipment, rooms) via 'what-if' scenarios.
Main Results:
- The simulation model successfully pinpointed specific clinic bottlenecks responsible for the majority of patient delays.
- Evaluation of different policies identified optimal strategies balancing wait time reduction and resource costs.
Conclusions:
- Simulation modeling is an effective tool for optimizing healthcare operations in specialized clinics.
- A data-driven policy balancing resource investment and wait time reduction is recommended for practical implementation to enhance glaucoma patient care.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
449
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
449
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
571
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
571
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
499
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
499