Collection and Preparation of Sensor Network Data to Support Modeling and Analysis of Outpatient Clinics

Abstract

Simulation studies of outpatient clinics often involve significant data collection challenges. We describe an approach for data collection using sensor networks which facilitates the collection of a large volume of very detailed patient flow data through healthcare clinics. Such data requires extensive preprocessing before it is ready for analysis. We present a general data preparation framework for sensor network generated data with particular emphasis on the creation and analysis of patient path strings. Several examples of the analysis of sensor network data are also presented. Our approach has been used in two large outpatient clinics in the United States.

Reducing patient wait times and improving resource utilization at British Columbia Cancer Agency’s ambulatory care unit through simulation

“…Instead, this task should be accomplished incorporating technology that eliminates the burden on staff and significantly increases data accuracy and reliability. Sensors such as those mentioned by Isken et al [15] or Saponas et al [26] allow to capture data with minimal human interaction and with virtually no interference in the process. These applications are becoming more common in different health care setting [27], although not at the same pace as in the manufacturing sector.…”

“…White [14] reviews data sources used in simulation studies in health care and suggest alternative sources of data. Isken et al [15] describe an approach for data collection using sensor networks in health care clinics, and Takakuwa and Katagiri [16] report on a simulation study developed using a series of data from terminal units and of test/inspection terminals as well as electronic medical records.…”

“…These include service times modelled by Weibull [15,20], gamma [21,22] and log-normal [18,23] distributions. In select cases where we used triangular and continuous empirical distributions, we performed sensitivity analysis.…”

Improving the Efficiency of an Emergency Department Based on Activity-Relationship Diagram and Radio Frequency Identification Technology

“…Today, the RFID system is being used successfully in the areas of manufacturing, supply chain, agriculture, transportation, healthcare, and services [31,32]. RFID applications have been used in data acquisition [33,34,35], queuing analysis of hospital systems [36,37], and tracking patients [33,38]. The growing sophistication of computers and software should allow information technology to play a vital part in streamlining care, catching and correcting errors, assisting with decisions, and providing feedback on performance [32].…”

Simulation Modeling and Analysis: A Collateral Application and Exposition of RFID Technology

“…The complexity, importance, and growing cost of healthcare are the primary factors contributing to the increase in use of simulation modeling in healthcare organizations. Healthcare managers must make decisions relating to process flows, resource allocation, capacity planning, and facilities configuration, and studies have documented the application of simulation modeling in these areas (Barnes and Quiason 1997;Isken et al 2005;Jun, Jacobson, and Swisher 1999). Other more specific applications include epidemiology, health-care systems design, health-care systems operation, and medical decision-making (Lagergren 1998).…”