Enhancing antenatal clinics decision-making through the modelling and simulation of patients flow by using a system dynamics approach. A case for a British northwest hospital

Jorge E. Hernandez*, Ted Adams, Hossam Ismail, Hui Yao

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceedingConference Proceedingpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

In the past 60 years, the maternal mortality rate in the United Kingdom has dropped considerably. However, the number of high-risk pregnancies including those complicated by pre-existing maternal health problems e.g. diabetes or lifestyle illnesses e.g. obesity has resulted in an increased demand on obstetric outpatient management of pregnancy at British National Health Service hospitals. In addition, patients also expect better access and convenient appointments in the antenatal clinic. Despite on-going work in these areas, long delays in clinic waiting rooms continue to be a great source of frustration for patients and staff. These delays have a considerable social cost to the economy and a financial cost to the health economy. Therefore, this paper considers a realistic study for supporting decision-makers in antenatal clinics in British northwest hospitals by using a system dynamics approach through causal-loop diagrams. The focus is to enhance the performance of the clinic, by understanding the flow of patients though a hospital clinic thereby aiming to reduce waiting times for patients.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDecision Support Systems VI – Addressing Sustainability and Societal Challenges - 2nd International Conference, ICDSST 2016, Proceedings
EditorsBoris Delibašić, Shaofeng Liu, Festus Oderanti
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages44-55
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9783319328768
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Event2nd International Conference on Decision Support System Technology, ICDSST 2016 - Plymouth, United Kingdom
Duration: 23 May 201625 May 2016

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Business Information Processing
Volume250
ISSN (Print)1865-1348

Conference

Conference2nd International Conference on Decision Support System Technology, ICDSST 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityPlymouth
Period23/05/1625/05/16

Keywords

  • Decision-making
  • Healthcare
  • Operations management
  • System dynamics simulation

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