Simulation and evaluation of ordering policies in the Nova Scotia platelet supply chain

This project evaluates potential ordering policies for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island's (NS/PEI) platelet supply chain.; Orders for platelets are currently issued at both consumer and producer levels, according to locally defined rules.; The development of this project involved three main components. First, a process analysis was performed. Second, a database was developed for collecting and analyzing platelet supply chain transactions in Nova Scotia and PEI. Third, a simulation model was built to simulate inventory transactions at producer and consumer sites within the NS/PEI supply chain. After a careful model validation, several ordering policies were simulated with the model and evaluated.; It was demonstrated that the NS/PEI platelet supply chain performance is improved when integrated ordering policies are used. Consignment inventory was evaluated and was found to be feasible if an integrated ordering policy exists. Finally, a modified CBS collection schedule was tested and found to improve system performance, if collection levels are selected carefully. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...