Computer simulation is an experiment using a computer model to represent a unique system. Variables are defined and parameters to be study are monitored and recorded. Growing capabilities and decreasing costs of microcomputers are placing this powerful tool at the fingertips of scientists and engineers. In the past, the use of digital computers in simulation required a considerable amount of programming effort. This is no longer a true statement.Simulation provides the student with a greater breadth and depth of information on which decisions could be made. It is also considered one of the most valuable and flexible decision making tools available. Flexible simulation and animation models developed using a multitude of software's available in the market today is considered a very powerful and effective approach in engineering education. Simulation and animation models could easily be used to solve complex and dynamic problems in both the classroom and real life.Computer simulation techniques and soft wares have been used for more than a decade to help engineers in development, trouble shooting, problem solving, and decision making process. The new paradigm in computer simulation is the use of animation and virtual reality to build engineering models and animation, simulate operations and performance. The fantastic progress in computer hardware and software industry has now opened a new and higher level of teaching computer simulation.
A study was done in 2013 regarding Veteran's Affairs primary care clinics in New Mexico. The primary care clinics provide care for a group of patients on regular basis. They also see additional patients as needed. The team consisting of the provider(s), nurse(s), technician(s), and schedulers providing continuous and coordinated care throughout patient's life-time is called Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The purpose of the PACT is to maximize patient care using this continuous and familiar care model for the patients. The performance of five out of ten primary care teams were provided using the traditional measures identified by their healthcare system in the Patient Aligned Care Teams Compass Data Definitions. The measurements that were specifically interesting were Ratio of PC Telephone Encounters to All PC Encounters, Ratio of Non-Traditional Encounters, Same Day Appts. w/PC Provider Ratio, Continuity PCP (ER Excluded), Team 2ndDay Post DC Contact Ratio. The data was collected in 2012 and the evaluations, interviews, and analysis was completed in 2013. The team scores was provided and access was obtained to only five out of ten teams which data was available for. The Veteran's Affairs provided data regarding the performance metrics of the PACT teams. The data was evaluated by using statistical correlations. The interview questions were designed to further dissect the performance of each team and their practices. Teams were interviewed and the responses were summarized and analyzed. Responses from each team were converted into team's scores and compared to their PACT performance metrics. The comparison between teams' scores and PACT performance metrics provided insight into each team's perception of its own performance and its PACT performance metrics. The purpose of this project is to identify the value adding and non-value adding activities of the each team. So the management can encourage the promotion of value adding activities, decreasing the variation in the performance of the teams and so maximizing the patient care.
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