Capacity of clinical pathways: A strategic multi-level evaluation tool
Cardoen, Brecht Demeulemeester, Erik
Cardoen, Brecht
Demeulemeester, Erik
Citations
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Publication Type
Journal article with impact factor
Editor
Supervisor
Publication Year
2008
Journal
Journal of Medical Systems
Book
Publication Volume
32
Publication Issue
6
Publication Begin page
443
Publication End page
452
Publication NUmber of pages
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Abstract
In this paper we strategically evaluate the efficiency of clinical pathways and their complex interdependencies with respect to joint resource usage and patient throughput. We propose a discrete-event simulation approach that allows for the simultaneous evaluation of multiple clinical pathways and the inherent uncertainty (resource, duration and arrival) that accompanies medical processes. Both the consultation suite and the surgery suite may be modeled and examined in detail by means of sensitivity or scenario analyses. Since each medical facility can somehow be represented as a combination of clinical pathways, i.e. they are conceptually similar, the simulation model is generic in nature. Next to the formulation of the model, we illustrate its applicability by means of a case study that was conducted in a Belgian hospital.