Using Simulation to Analyze the Problems of Healthcare Resource Allocation and Overcrowding in Short Stay Unit of ED -A study case

• Main Authors: Yun-Ru Huang, 黃韻如
• Other Authors: Hen-Yi Jen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/5c5sfx

碩士 === 元智大學 === 工業工程與管理學系 === 103 === In recent years, the needs of emergency medical have increased, and it results in emergency department (ED) overcrowding problem. This problem will decrease the quality of medical care and some serious situation might cause medical disputes. In order to reduce emergency department overcrowding, this study will plan Short Stay Units (SSUs) which admits the patients who stay a long time in observation unit or will become inpatient. To reduce patient waiting time, length of stay (LOS) and the degree of emergency overcrowding, this study uses system simulation to observe the current emergency department process and the new process of adding SSUs to find better resource allocation and the degree of emergency crowdedness. Using the scenario analysis to observe the changes of patient’s waiting time, LOS, resource utilization and National ED Overcrowding Study (NEDOCS) between original process and new process, the results show that adding SSUs can significantly reduce the degree of emergency overcrowding; but in terms of healthcare resources allocation, it should be considered that additional costs incurred upon resources. The research uses the 3D object-oriented simulation software to model ED operations and it can dynamically track the model to identify the bottlenecks in the process. In addition, simulation system also can display information of ED：(1) immediate hospital ED patients length of stay, (2) immediate hospital ED patients waiting time for each medical staff, (3) immediate hospital ED related medical resource utilization and status information, (4) immediate hospital ED patients attribute (PCI, Level 2 to 4). The results of research provide objective and quantitative information in hospital management decision.