CASE STUDY
CLIENT: Laser Spine Institute Cleveland, OH
Use discrete event simulation in facility design validation before starting construction. Industrial and Systems Engineers are playing a more prominent role as the healthcare industry looks to provide higher-quality, cost-effective care. In healthcare facility planning, discrete event simulation can determine the impact of varying layouts and new work flows before knocking down a single wall, saving valuable time and money. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
SERVICE: Transformation
Recently, Laser Spine Institute (LSI) in Cleveland, Ohio, decided to extend its services
METHOD: Design Validation
by building satellite facilities across the country. These new facilities are smaller than the existing facility, and operate using a slightly altered process flow. To determine the appropriate space requirements for the new, smaller scale model, Array built a
Challenge
discrete event simulation model.
Sometimes a process looks good on paper, but does not function as expected. When there are a number of variables in play, each with a distinct distribution, it can be difficult to predict how a system will react.
Two major project goals were to confirm that patients could recover completely in a PACU room without causing other patients to wait in the operating room, and determine whether the space was large enough to bring in an additional surgeon, potentially leading to the treatment of more patients. The study began with patient flow observation, allowing the Healthcare Systems Engineer to gain an understanding of the ambulatory surgery center’s operations. Array captured input data using the system’s electronic medical records; we
Solution
used validation and verification techniques to ensure the simulation accurately
Array used a simulation study to determine whether the newly designed process was optimal, and whether the number of rooms was adequate for the patient volume the outpatient spinal surgery center hoped to serve. Basing the process design on efficient practices leads to an easier implementation of productive work flows, staff movement and patient routing.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
12
represented the system. We then used the valid model to test different operating scenarios. The linked publication goes into detail of how we used a simulation model to determine the appropriate number of prep and recovery rooms for the expected patient flow.
publication
SCENARIOS DEVELOPED & TESTED
8
PREP/ RECOVERY FLEX ROOMS
2
OBJECTIVES DEFINED BY THE CLIENT
Discovering Your Healthcare Solutions Together We are innovators who specialize in the areas your system seeks out to leverage its valuable operational and facility resources. Array Advisors has the expertise and skills to reach beyond your milestones and provide you the decision support you need.
Our Purpose Our Solutions We are dedicated to improvement. Problemsolving and forward-thinking individuals lead our efforts, which focus on your unique place in the healthcare delivery spectrum. Our knowledgeable staff can help you solve strategic business problems and develop a method to improve efficiency and utilization.
We are Array Advisors, your trusted partners in Strategy Development and Organizational Transformation. The challenges you face are not unique, but your solutions should be. Through a partnership of Strategy and Transformation we help you achieve and sustain. Our process begins by understanding your current operations and clearly defining your system’s goals before generating options. We employ a variety of integrated methods tailored to your strategic challenges, such as process mapping; operational planning; and healthcare real estate portfolio optimization, to help position your organization for future success.
STRATEGY The need for healthcare real estate portfolio optimization has never been greater. With the acceleration in mergers and acquisitions, as well as the evolution of clinical models, healthcare organizations must continuously evaluate their physical assets and maximize the value they derive from them.
Click here to learn more about our Strategy services.
TRANSFORMATION Transformation and lean methods are very useful when focusing on operational process improvement. By bringing all constituents together and giving them the tools to experiment and test new ideas, current state barriers can be identified and transcended.
Click here to learn more about our Transformation services.
ARRAY-ADVISORS.COM