A Simulation Study for a Safe Reopening and Operation of the Trager Institute Optimal Aging Clinic During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Shahab Sadri (), Arsalan Paleshi (), Lihui Bai () and Monica Gentili ()
Additional contact information
Shahab Sadri: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40223
Arsalan Paleshi: Graham School of Business, York College of Pennsylvania, York, Pennsylvania 17403
Lihui Bai: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40223
Monica Gentili: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40223

Interfaces, 2024, vol. 54, issue 2, 188-204

Abstract: In this study, we develop a discrete-event simulation model to aid the Trager Institute, an outpatient clinic for optimal aging located in Louisville, Kentucky, in determining their safe reopening strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic and operational strategies beyond the pandemic. The model studies the movement of several groups of people (e.g., healthcare providers, navigators, patients, staff) and the operations of the clinic’s primary and ancillary services. The main objective is to ensure that the clinic operates safely while COVID-19 restrictions are in place and to improve its providers’ utilization rate. The model simulates people’s movement in the clinic, monitors the congestion level in four common areas, and identifies the peak hours during a day. We also study various overbooking and telehealth policies to overcome high cancelation or no-show rates and low utilization for providers. Simulation results using AnyLogic have helped the management decide to reopen the in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic based on the safe congestion level demonstrated by the simulation. Insights on optimal overbooking and telehealth policies can shed a broader light on other healthcare organizations.

Keywords: simulation; multiresource clinic; COVID-19 pandemic; overbooking policy; telehealth policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/inte.2022.0032 (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:54:y:2024:i:2:p:188-204

Access Statistics for this article

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