Analysis of design solutions for inpatient emergency departments using simulation modeling

Abstract

Purpose. Conduct an analysis of projects of various inpatient emergency departments and identify optimal planning solutions. Methods. To analyze the projects of various inpatient emergency departments and search for optimal planning solutions, it is possible to use simulation modeling. This approach allows you to create a virtual model of the system and conduct many scenario tests in order to evaluate the efficiency and optimize the work of departments in various conditions. Using simulation modeling, three models of inpatient emergency departments of various sizes (1000, 1200 and 2500 m2) were created. The definition of functioning features was carried out with the same threshold value of the incoming flow of patients — 150 per day. In addition to the structural components of the departments, a “point of primary decision-making” was singled out. After the experiments, a comparison of the obtained statistical data was carried out. Results. As a result of the study, on the model of an inpatient emergency department with an area of 1200 m2 and 2500 m2, there were no queues in the process of work at the “point of primary decision making”. At the same time, on a model with a total area of 1000 m2 with the same flow of patients, a queue was formed at the established “primary decision point”, waiting for 10 minutes of model time, which was due to the initial small area in the waiting room. Conclusion. Based on the data obtained, it was concluded that the optimal design solution for the creation of an inpatient emergency department is the department area of 1200 m2.