The use of computer simulation in health care facility design

摘要

In this paper a decision-making tool for managers of hospitals and health care facilities, the management sciences technique of computer simulation modeling, is introduced. Its benefits as a planning and evaluative tool for hospital managers is illustrated by explaining a successful modeling application, a computer simulation model of physical therapy, developed at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. With the physical therapy simulation as an example, the advantages of computer simulation modeling for containing costs and improving resource utilization and quality care are illustrated.

This paper is based on research supported, in part, by Demonstration Grant No. 12-P-55189/5-01, from the Social and Rehabilitation Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, awarded to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and HEW-SRS Medical Rehabilitation Research and Training Center Number Twenty.