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

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  • S Vanderby

    (University of Toronto)

  • M W Carter

    (University of Toronto)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • S Vanderby & M W Carter, 2010. "An evaluation of the applicability of system dynamics to patient flow modelling," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 61(11), pages 1572-1581, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:61:y:2010:i:11:d:10.1057_jors.2009.150
    DOI: 10.1057/jors.2009.150
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. S C Brailsford & V A Lattimer & P Tarnaras & J C Turnbull, 2004. "Emergency and on-demand health care: modelling a large complex system," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 55(1), pages 34-42, January.
    2. D C Lane & E Husemann, 2008. "System dynamics mapping of acute patient flows," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 59(2), pages 213-224, February.
    3. D C Lane & C Monefeldt & J V Rosenhead, 2000. "Looking in the wrong place for healthcare improvements: A system dynamics study of an accident and emergency department," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 51(5), pages 518-531, May.
    4. J B Jun & S H Jacobson & J R Swisher, 1999. "Application of discrete-event simulation in health care clinics: A survey," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 50(2), pages 109-123, February.
    5. T Eldabi & R J Paul & T Young, 2007. "Simulation modelling in healthcare: reviewing legacies and investigating futures," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 58(2), pages 262-270, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Negar Darabi & Niyousha Hosseinichimeh, 2020. "System dynamics modeling in health and medicine: a systematic literature review," System Dynamics Review, System Dynamics Society, vol. 36(1), pages 29-73, January.
    2. Ernesto A. Lagarda-Leyva & Angel Ruiz, 2019. "A Systems Thinking Model to Support Long-Term Bearability of the Healthcare System: The Case of the Province of Quebec," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Mohammad Reza Davahli & Waldemar Karwowski & Redha Taiar, 2020. "A System Dynamics Simulation Applied to Healthcare: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-27, August.

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