Application of simulation and modelling in managing unplanned healthcare demand

Lengu, D; Kobbacy, KAH; Sapountzis, S; Kagioglou, M

Abstract

Patients who attend Accident and Emergency (A & E) departments with problems that could be dealt with by
their general practitioners (GPs) use time and resources of the department that could be otherwise used for
patients with more appropriate needs. Hospital managers
throughout the world are facing increasing pressure to introduce measures and initiatives to
significantly ease the problem of such inappropriate attendances at A&E departments.
This study looks at an initiative in which primary care clinicians are used to help deflect patients
with non-urgent needs away from A&E. Simulation and modelling was used to assess the
impact that this initiative would have on A&E workflow. The results suggest that the deflection of patients attending A&E with non-urgent needs may reduce the time spent in
A&E by all patients attending A&E.

Citation

Lengu, D., Kobbacy, K., Sapountzis, S., & Kagioglou, M. (2012, September). Application of simulation and modelling in managing unplanned healthcare demand. Presented at 5th Annual HaCIRIC International Conference, ‘Transforming Healthcare Infrastructures and services in the age of austerity, Cardiff

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 5th Annual HaCIRIC International Conference, ‘Transforming Healthcare Infrastructures and services in the age of austerity
• Conference Location: Cardiff
• Start Date: Sep 19, 2012
• End Date: Sep 21, 2012
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Jun 28, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 28, 2013
• Keywords: Demand management, discrete event simulation, patient deflection
• Publisher URL: http://www.haciric.org/static/doc/events/HaCIRIC_2012_conference_proceedings.pdf
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference