ORAHS2024
Abstract Submission

236. Integrated Emergency Department and Bed Planning

Invited abstract in session FA-3: Integrated Planning in Healthcare /2, stream Regular talks.

Friday, 9:20-10:30
Room: Room S2

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Joe Viana
Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management (IØT), Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
2. Laura Boyle
Queen's University Belfast
3. Nikolaus Furian
Department of Engineering- and Business Informatics, Universtiy of Technology Graz
4. Gréanne Leeftink
CHOIR, University of Twente
5. Sean Manzi
Dartington Service Design Lab
6. Sebastian Rachuba
Center for Healthcare Operations Improvement and Research, University of Twente
7. Melanie Reuter-Oppermann
Maastricht University, ILS Mannheim
8. Fabian Schäfer
Supply and Value Chain Management, Technical University of Munich
9. Clemens Thielen
TUM Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Technical University of Munich
10. Maartje van de Vrugt
Amsterdam University Medical Centers

Abstract

Emergency Departments (EDs) are critical to healthcare globally, operating 24/7 as entry to hospitals. Efficient turnover from ED to ward is vital but increasing demand and limited capacity pose challenges. Solutions to reduce crowding, like Overflow Wards (OW), are being adopted where patients await correct Inpatient Ward (IW) placement. Research on improving patient flow and ED overcrowding is abundant, but few studies consider ED and IW integration, with minimal focus on OW impact. Recognising the importance of integrated planning, our study builds on generic frameworks to present a discrete-event simulation model that encapsulates ED processes and patient flow to wards. In this ongoing research we emphasize the need for more holistic models, as most studies only tackle specific aspects, neglecting the broader connections within the hospital system. The model evaluates data from hospitals in four countries - Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and The Netherlands, additionally considering practices from Norwegian, Austrian and UK hospitals. It provides a comprehensive view on ED processes, beds in IWs, OW use, ICU processes, and inter-department patient transportation. Our work contributes significantly to the hospital management domain, as we investigate the effect of OW on both ED and clinical wards, providing valuable managerial insights for hospital/ED managers.

Keywords

Status: accepted

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