An improvement of Chemotherapy Infusion center via simulation: A case study of university hospital in the deep south of Thailand

Abstract

Cancer is one of the world’s largest health problems. Worldwide, an estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases and almost 10.0 million cancer deaths occurred in 2020. Every hospital is aware of the quality of their services; they provide an efficient assistance for cancer patients at Chemotherapy Infusion center. The purpose of this research is to improve the efficiency of Chemotherapy Infusion center through a case study of university hospital in the deep south of Thailand. In this research, the simulation approach via Promodel® simulation software is applied to analyze the utilization of cancer patients' beds. As a result, it showed that opening cancer patients’ beds no. 1 – 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., no. 21 – 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and no. 24 – 26 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on working days was the best alternative scenario. The utilization of cancer patients’ beds was increased from 73.61 to 84.16 percent or 10.55 percent while the vacancy rates of cancer patients’ beds decreased from 24.12 to 13.23 percent or 10.89 percent. Moreover, the working time of the nurses and their assistants was decreased from 104,790 to 86,940 minutes/week or 17.03 percent.