Improving Patient Access by Determining Appropriate Staff Mix in the Family Practice Clinic of Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital at Fort Polk, Louisiana Using an Animated Computer Simulation Model

摘要

This study was the direct result of customer dissatisfaction due to problems associated with access into Bayne-Jones Army community Hospital (BJACH) . On a recent Military Health Service System Performance Report Card, BJACH received satisfaction rates of only thirty-two percent and thirty-seven percent for 'satisfaction with access' and 'percent meeting appointment waiting standards', respectively. Therefore, the terminal objective of this study was to ascertain the most suitable staff mix in the BJACH Family Practice Clinic in order to enhance patience satisfaction by increasing their access to care. This determination was made by developing, running, and analyzing a number of separate animated simulation models using MedModel Simulation Software. The first model used the current, or status quo, staff levels. It was ran with eight providers with two exam rooms each and a nursing staff of nine. The second model the TDA model, was based on BJACH's current TDA authorized staff. This model was comprised of sic providers with two rooms each and eight nursing staff members. The final models used alternate staff numbers and examination room assignments. The best of the alternate models was Alternate Model D. This model consisted of seven providers assigned two or three rooms each and ten nursing staff. After the simulations were completed, the derived data was placed in a decision matrix and analyzed. Upon completion of the analysis, it was determined that the greatest patient access to the BJACH family practice providers was experienced with the staff levels and configuration defined in Alternate Model D. For this reason, it was recommended for implementation.