Title: Simulation-based decision support for emergency rooms systems

Authors: Adriana M. Alvarez, Martha A. Centeno

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA. Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA

Abstract: Increased pressure to control costs and increased competition has prompted health care managers to look for tools to effectively operate their institutions. This article discusses a framework for a Simulation-Based Decision Support System (SBDSS) to evaluate operating policies in emergency rooms (ER) systems. A prototype of this SBDSS is presented. ER decisions have been categorised and, for each one, an implementation plan is discussed. The prototype revealed that simulation can truly be used in this environment in a timely fashion because the simulation model has been complemented with a series of decision-making routines. These routines use a hierarchical approach to organise the various scenarios under which the model may run and to partially reconfigure the simulation model at run time.

Keywords: decision support; run-time model reconfiguration; integrated simulation environment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2000.001097

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management, 2000 Vol.2 No.5/6, pp.523-538

Published online: 30 Jun 2003 *

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