An evaluation of the applicability of system dynamics to patient flow modelling

S Vanderby and M W Carter
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S Vanderby: University of Toronto
M W Carter: University of Toronto

Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2010, vol. 61, issue 11, 1572-1581

Abstract: Abstract The objective of this research is to determine whether Systems Dynamics (SD) is a beneficial method for modelling hospital patient flow from a strategic planning perspective. While discrete event simulation has frequently been used as a tool for analysing and improving patient flow in health care settings, the desire to assess and understand patient flow and resource demand from a more strategic, and therefore aggregate, perspective led to the use of SD. To evaluate the suitability of such an approach, a model was developed in collaboration with the General Campus at The Ottawa Hospital with particular attention paid to the delays experienced by patients in the emergency department. The modelling techniques used, model validation and scenarios tested with the model are discussed, accompanied by comments regarding the appropriateness of SD for such a model.

Keywords: health service; hospitals; simulation; strategic planning; system dynamics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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DOI: 10.1057/jors.2009.150

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