Emergency Department Simulation: Proposed Model and Optimization

Abstract

Emergency Department (ED), being a complex and critical entity of the healthcare system, is studied in this paper for several reasons. The main challenge faced by the ED is the growing number of patients who show up without any prior notice, the 24/7 operation of the ED and the open facility to any type of illness and all age categories. These challenges increased the waiting time and staff utilization rates in the ED. Therefore, patient flow is highly influenced resulting in unnecessary costs. The long waiting time is a major problem facing EDs nowadays and should be considered as a high priority in order to ensure patient satisfaction; knowing that patient LoS may also affect resource utilization rates and hospital revenue. In this study, simulation using Arena is used in order to build a realistic model for an ED at a hospital in North Lebanon. This model is then verified and validated in order to match the real system, where improvements can be suggested for a better patient flow process and management optimization. Improvements are proposed by running different simulations using Arena Process Analyzer tool and optimization is added in order to reach an optimal solution using Arena OptQuest tool.