Evaluating the Capacity of Clinical Pathways through Discrete-Event Simulation

KU Leuven Department of Decision Sciences and Information Management Working Paper No. KBI 0712

24 Pages Posted: 14 Feb 2008

See all articles by Brecht Cardoen

Brecht Cardoen

Catholic University of Leuven (KUL)

Erik Demeulemeester

Catholic University of Leuven (KUL)

Date Written: 2007

Abstract

Organizing a medical facility efficiently is hard due to the numerous patient trajectories and their use of joint and scarce resources. Moreover, these trajectories tend to be complex and characterized by uncertain medical processes. In this paper, we will structure patient trajectories using clinical pathways and aggregate them in a discrete-event simulation model. This model enables the health manager to evaluate and improve important performance indicators, both for the patient and the hospital, by conducting a detailed sensitivity analysis. Two case studies, performed at large hospitals in Antwerp and Leuven (Belgium), will be introduced and briefly discussed in order to illustrate the generic nature of the model.

Keywords: Capacity management, Case studies, Discrete-event simulation, Health care operations, Processes, Structure, Simulation, Model, Performance, Indicators, Sensitivity, Studies, Hospitals, Belgium, Order

Suggested Citation

Cardoen, Brecht and Demeulemeester, Erik, Evaluating the Capacity of Clinical Pathways through Discrete-Event Simulation (2007). KU Leuven Department of Decision Sciences and Information Management Working Paper No. KBI 0712, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1093290 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1093290

Brecht Cardoen

Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) ( email )

Leuven, B-3000
Belgium

Erik Demeulemeester (Contact Author)

Catholic University of Leuven (KUL) ( email )

Leuven, B-3000
Belgium

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