Authors:
Li-Hui Lee
1
;
Yang-Yu Ou
1
;
Yu-Ting Cheng
1
;
Ying-Chou Sun
2
;
Hsiu-Mei Wu
2
and
Wan-You Guo
2
Affiliations:
1
Department of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, No. 89, Neijiang Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City and Taiwan
;
2
Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No.201, Sec. 2, Shipai Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei City 112 and Taiwan
Keyword(s):
Agent-based, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Waiting Time, Throughput, Cost-effectiveness Analysis.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Computer Simulation Techniques
;
Discrete-Event Simulation
;
Formal Methods
;
Simulation and Modeling
;
Simulation Tools and Platforms
Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to shorten the waiting time of a patient to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination as well as to increase the utilization rates of the five MRI scanners in a 2,735-bed medical center of Taiwan. We simulate the current MRI examination workflow through a hybrid simulation model, consisting of discrete event and agent-based simulations. Then, we maximize the MRI patient throughput per day with more radiographers during current business hours. For reasons of feasibility, a cost-effectiveness analysis is also conducted. AnyLogic, Excel, and SAS were used for building the simulation models and conducting the statistical analysis. The results show that providing 248 additional patient examinations with one additional radiographer employed during the 11:00 to 19:00 time frame would shorten the waiting time of a patient to undergo an MRI examination by 2.51 days, increase the utilization rate of each MRI scanner by an average of 6.15%, and bring an
additional gross income of US$38,424 to US$69,169 per 31-day month.
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