Title: Improving the efficiency of an emergency department by managing bottleneck capacities

Authors: Tarek Al-Hawari; Omar Al-Araidah; Malak Mithkal; Alaa Khanfar; Ahmad Mumani

Addresses: Industrial Engineering Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan ' Industrial Engineering Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan ' Industrial Engineering Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan ' Industrial Engineering Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan ' Industrial Engineering Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan

Abstract: The paper presents improvement efforts applied at an emergency department using theory of constraints. The study aimed to reduce the length of stay of patients and enhance staff satisfaction through the better management of department resources' capacities. Thorough investigation of the system showed that improper work schedules and unbalanced flow contribute largely to patients' delay. Results obtained from applying suggested improvements led to over 30% reduction in patients' length of stay in the emergency department. Results also showed significant reduction in mean service times at the various stages ranging between 8% and 65%. Moreover, results show reduction in variability and higher probability in being closer to set standards.

Keywords: theory of constraints; TOC; capacity management; emergency departments; efficiency; bottleneck capacities; patient length of stay; hospital staff satisfaction; work schedules; unbalanced flow; patient delay; healthcare management; A&E; Accident and Emergency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMOM.2013.055957

International Journal of Modelling in Operations Management, 2013 Vol.3 No.2, pp.108 - 117

Received: 05 Nov 2012
Accepted: 24 Jan 2013
Published online: 29 Jan 2014 *

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