Changing the Patient Flow Process for the Green Area of Emergency Department: A Discrete-Event Simulation Approach

Abstract

The emergency department is important as a fundamental element of the healthcare system. Patient flow processes in emergency departments are a critical factor that determines effective and rapid medical intervention as well as the overall performance of the healthcare system. Aim: This study aimed to analyze patient waiting times and hospital stay times by developing a different approach to the current patient flow processes in the green area of a hospital emergency department. Methods: Numerical and statistical results were obtained using a discrete event simulation model for the current and new situation of patient flow processes. Results: The waiting time decreased from 12.91 minutes in the current simulation model to 12.81 minutes in the proposed simulation model. The length of stay time decreased from 54.72 minutes in the current simulation model to 53.90 minutes in the proposed simulation model. In this case, it is seen that the proposed model provides a reduction in the length of stay and patient waiting time. Conclusion: The result shows that the proposed model provides some improvement in both waiting and length of stay time. This study offers a different approach to patient flow, allowing emergency department personnel to use their resources effectively and minimizing the time spent on patients' treatment or waiting periods. Thus, this study concluded that the effective management of recommended patient flow processes increases the capacity of emergency departments to deal with emergencies and accelerates access to emergency medical services.