Go with the Flow: Improving Red Cross Bloodmobiles Using Simulation Analysis

John E. Brennan, Bruce L. Golden and Harold K. Rappoport
Additional contact information
John E. Brennan: American Red Cross, Biomedical Research and Development, The Jerome H. Holland Laboratory, 15601 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, Maryland 20855
Bruce L. Golden: College of Business and Management, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
Harold K. Rappoport: DISTINCT Management Consultants, 10705 Charter Drive, Suite 440, Columbia, Maryland 21044

Interfaces, 1992, vol. 22, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: We developed a computer simulation model to study customer service and productivity issues for Red Cross bloodmobiles. The Red Cross was concerned that excessive waiting lines and the time required to donate blood were affecting donors' willingness to make subsequent blood donations. We developed and tested several strategies for alleviating this problem including modifying set-up, staff allocation, and work rules. Initial implementation experience has resulted in significant decreases in the donor processing time and positive comments from donors citing improved speed and simplicity.

Keywords: health care: blood bank; simulation: applications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1992
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

Downloads: (external link)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/inte.22.5.1 (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:inm:orinte:v:22:y:1992:i:5:p:1-13

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Interfaces from INFORMS Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Asher ().