A Queue-Based Monte Carlo Analysis to Support Decision Making for Implementation of an Emergency Department Fast Track
Joint Authors
Fitzgerald, Kristin
Pelletier, Lori
Reznek, Martin A.
Source
Journal of Healthcare Engineering
Issue
Vol. 2017, Issue 2017 (31 Dec. 2017), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2017-03-28
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Emergency departments (EDs) are seeking ways to utilize existing resources more efficiently as they face rising numbers of patient visits.
This study explored the impact on patient wait times and nursing resource demand from the addition of a fast track, or separate unit for low-acuity patients, in the ED using a queue-based Monte Carlo simulation in MATLAB.
The model integrated principles of queueing theory and expanded the discrete event simulation to account for time-based arrival rates.
Additionally, the ED occupancy and nursing resource demand were modeled and analyzed using the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) levels of patients, rather than the number of beds in the department.
Simulation results indicated that the addition of a separate fast track with an additional nurse reduced overall median wait times by 35.8 ± 2.2 percent and reduced average nursing resource demand in the main ED during hours of operation.
This novel modeling approach may be easily disseminated and informs hospital decision-makers of the impact of implementing a fast track or similar system on both patient wait times and acuity-based nursing resource demand.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Fitzgerald, Kristin& Pelletier, Lori& Reznek, Martin A.. 2017. A Queue-Based Monte Carlo Analysis to Support Decision Making for Implementation of an Emergency Department Fast Track. Journal of Healthcare Engineering،Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1181153
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Fitzgerald, Kristin…[et al.]. A Queue-Based Monte Carlo Analysis to Support Decision Making for Implementation of an Emergency Department Fast Track. Journal of Healthcare Engineering No. 2017 (2017), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1181153
American Medical Association (AMA)
Fitzgerald, Kristin& Pelletier, Lori& Reznek, Martin A.. A Queue-Based Monte Carlo Analysis to Support Decision Making for Implementation of an Emergency Department Fast Track. Journal of Healthcare Engineering. 2017. Vol. 2017, no. 2017, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1181153
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1181153