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Allocating resources by modeling cardiac patient flow using a system dynamics approach

Posted on:2006-08-14Degree:M.A.ScType:Thesis
University:University of Toronto (Canada)Candidate:Chan, CarolineFull Text:PDF
GTID:2454390005497878Subject:Engineering
Abstract/Summary:
As a leader of cardiac service delivery, Trillium Health Centre is in high demand. However, it has reached its capacity in providing cardiac care. Hospital management faces the challenging decision to distribute resources effectively amongst competing departments.; The aim of this project is to develop a reliable and accurate support tool for optimal resource allocation. Simulation and the methods of system dynamics, were used to track cardiac patient flow and determine the resources that were consumed. Once the model was validated, it was applied to "what-if" scenarios. It was observed that an increase in both CSSU and CCU beds would result in the optimal use of resources as these units were the causes of bottlenecks in patient flow. It was also shown that system dynamics could be applied at the hospital level and provides a more encompassing view of how interdependent units interact and affect one another.
Keywords/Search Tags:Cardiac, Patient flow, System dynamics, Resources
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