Implementation Analysis of a Simulation-Aided Redesigned Emergency Department before and after the Emergence of COVID-19
Publication: Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
ABSTRACT
This paper considers the effect of redesigning an emergency department (ED) on improving its performance through changing its workflow, before and after COVID-19 surge. Before COVID-19, a discrete event simulation was developed with a focus on reducing the average length of stay (LOS) for all patients in the ED using different front-end processes alongside an expansion redesign. When SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 emerged, however, the implementation process was not completed. To understand the redesign impact on ED performance, a questionnaire was developed to gather information from its personnel. They were asked to present their ideas regarding the impact of redesign and its changes on improving ED operations, workflow efficiency, and lessons they learned during pandemic. Results show that respondents mostly agreed that pandemic has negatively affected ED operations; they also believed that most of the redesign changes need improvement.
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Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
Pages: 104 - 111
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Published online: Jan 25, 2024
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