A growing number of hospitals are using healthcarespecific simulation technology to help identify process improvements, particularly when there are a number of alternatives under consideration. New software is now available which specifically meets the unique needs of healthcare. This article describes how a team at one Emergency Services department in a SunHealth Alliance hospital used simulation technology to test alternatives and choose a solution to significantly reduce the length of stay for patients in the Emergency department.
McGuire REF discusses the use of simulation to test process improvement alternatives aimed at reducing the length of stay for ED patients.