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Simulation Modeling and Analysis: A Collateral Application and Exposition of RFID Technology
Abstract
RFID technology provides in-depth, real-time visibility into the status of assets throughout the supply chain. However, the deployment of RFID technology may have collateral value in the high-quality data generated by these assets. This study explores the potential value of RFID data for tactical and strategic purposes and the redesign of processes within supply chain through the deployment of simulation modeling and analysis. We present a simulation study conducted at a regional hospital for which data related to trauma patient movement was collected with an RFID-based system. We find that not only does this data serve as the basis for successful simulation modeling, but that RFID technology may address several data-related challenges previously identified in the simulation literature.
... We extract the resource possession properties for these resources directly from the traces provided by systems that monitor or coordinate the various resources in the environment being studied. Location sensing systems based on technologies such as WiFi, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and sensor networks (Chong and Kumar 2003;Akyildiz et al. 2002) have been used in different industries such as healthcare to locate, contain, and monitor entity and resource usage (Isken et al. 2005;Amini et al. 2007). For example, a Taiwanese hospital in 2003 was tasked to implement a patient tracking and monitoring system to contain SARS patients (Wang et al. 2006). ...
... Similarly, resource demands are typically characterized for steps or resources using additional distributions. The correlation between successive choices of branches and demands may affect system performance (Isken et al. 2005, Amini et al. 2007) but are not controlled directly in such models. This disadvantage can lead to a lack of representativeness, i.e., real system performance may differ from that reported by a simulation run. ...
... The first case study considers a real RFID instrumented trauma center considered by Amini et al. (2007). The purpose of this case study is to validate and compare the simulation results of SBE with simulation results of Arena (Kelton, Sadowski, and Swets 2009), which is a general purpose simulation package. ...
Our goal is to support capacity management for systems such as hospitals, campuses, and cities, which utilize resources such as people, places, and things in complex ways. Simulation tools have traditionally been used for these sorts of studies, but they require expert model builders to create and maintain abstract business process models of the system under study. This can lead to a lack of representativeness and difficulty in adapting the model for additional or different study scenarios. This paper presents a new simulation approach, Simulation By Example, which overcomes these problems by guiding the simulation using traces, i.e., examples, of the behavior of the actual system but without requiring explicit business process models to be authored. Instead we rely on system instrumentation to capture the traces. We demonstrate the method in two case studies for healthcare systems as described in recent literature.
... There is strong indication that RFID can be effective in a multiplicity of other contexts, especially healthcare. However, few studies have been conducted in the healthcare field, though a few have explored the tracking of physical assets, e.g., heart monitors and pharmaceuticals, and inventory management [17]. Healthcare demands for extreme accuracy in drug distribution, handling and processing. ...
... Health Care [15], [16], [17], [18]- [20] RFID plays an important role in healthcare domain and it reduce medical errors by tracking Medical devices, to enhance supply chain efficiencies, improve the monitoring facility for patients and to increase the safety of systems and using realtime tracking for utilization of assets. ...
Supply chain management (SCM) is the control of resources, information, and capital as they move in the whole process from provider to consumer. Logistics plays a vital part in the universal supply chain due to emerging trends. Many supply chain service providers have realized the significance of technological adoption that can help manufacturers, distributor, and warehouses to communicate with each other more efficiently. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is one of the most capable technological innovations, with the potential to increase supply chain transparency and gain process efficiency. The main objective of this paper is to review the concept of RFID technology and its application, diffusion in supply chain management. Some of the important observations are: (a) there is a lack of adequate research on RFID implementation issues (b) the trade-off between responsiveness and the cost of logistics needs further study. The paper ends with concluding remarks.
... Global citations [100] 1434 [161] 1346 [84] 661 [160] 650 [99] 581 [163] 564 [145] 509 [87] 456 [76] 442 [49] 431 [38] 422 [176] 421 [51] 383 [32] 377 [6] 144 activities [7] . Moreover, big data can be used to collect and process data generated from IoT devices in the supply chain, enabling firms to locate process flaws and to mitigate costly manufacturing mistakes [4] . ...
... manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture [16] , transportation [120] , apparel [69] , minerals and mining [94] , and construction [170] . Data acquired from RFID systems can serve as the basis for successful simulation modeling because the sensing capabilities of the technology provide ample amounts of data that are useful to build accurate simulation models for monitoring throughput and process efficiencies [7] . However, the benefits of RFID do not come without challenges. ...
This study reviews Internet of Things (IoT) research in supply chain management (SCM) and logistics. A thorough review and bibliometric analysis were conducted to analytically and objectively unearth the knowledge development in IoT research within the context of SCM and logistics. The analysis started with the selection of 807 journal articles published over a two-decade period. Then, the articles were analyzed according to bibliomet-ric parameters such as year of publication, sources, authors, and institutions. A keyword co-occurrence network was used to cluster the pertinent literature. Results of the review and bibliometric analysis reveal that IoT research has attracted significant attention from the SCM and logistics community. Three leading journals published widely on IoT and the fifteen most productive authors are identified. Based on the keyword co-occurrence clustering , the IoT literature in SCM and logistics is focalized on RFID technology, Industry 4.0 technologies, reverse logistics, and additionally covers various industries, such as the food, retailing, construction, and the pharmaceutical sector. The study provides researchers with a better understanding of IoT research in SCM and logistics and existing knowledge gaps for further research. Practitioners may benefit from the review to keep abreast of the current discussions and applications of IoT in diverse industrial sectors. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the current review is one of the few attempts to investigate IoT research in SCM and logistics using a comprehensive set of articles published during the past two decades.
... Along the same line, Rekik et al. (2008) analyzed the role of RFID in reducing the misplacement rate of goods along this line. Brown et al., 2001, Leung et al., 2007, and Amini et al., 2007 use simulation analysis methods to explore the impact of RFID on inventory check, while other studies exploit other methods like case studies, empirical and experiments (such as Lefebvre et al., 2006;Whitaker et al., 2007;Fosso Wamba et al., 2007;Barratt & Choi, 2007;DeHoratius & Raman, 2008;Bottani & Rizzi, 2008). In the following is a brief review to the literature on three typical aspects of RFID-enhanced inventory management, i.e. inventory inaccuracy, bullwhip effect and replenishment strategy. ...
... Sahin et al. (2008),Rekik et al. (2008),Gaukler (2011),Fleisch and Tellkamp (2005),Zipkin (2006),Lee et al. (2005), DeHoratius and Raman(2008),Leung et al. (2007),Amini et al. (2007), Heese(2007), Rekik et al. (2009), Rekik (2011), Çakıcı et al. (2011), Dai and Tseng (2012), Gaukler (2011), Zhang et al., 2012, Dan et al. (2012), Hardgrave et al. (2013), Cannella et al. (2014), Chen et al. (2014), Fan et al. (2014), Fan et al. et al. (2007), Bottani and Rizzi (2008), Wang et al. (2008), Zhou (2009), Gaukler (2011), Zhou and Piramuthu (2013), Hardgrave et al. (2013), Musa et al. (2014), Nooraie and Parast (2015), Shang (2007), Kang and Gershwin (2005), Condea et al. (2012), Metzger et al. (2013), Mersereau (2013), Chen (2012), Thiesse and Buckel (2015) Research methods: Analytical model, Simulation, Case study, Experimental analysis The lastest improvement of representative researches on RFID-enabled operations and supply chain management are shown in Wang and Fang et al. (2016), Reyes et al. (2016), Bradley et al. (2018), Cui et al. (2017), Lui et al. (2019), Tao et al. (2019), ...
Recent advances in information technology have led to profound changes in global manufacturing. This study focuses on the theoretical and practical challenges and opportunities arising from the Internet of Things (IoT) as it enables new ways of supply-chain operations partially based on big-data analytics and changes in the nature of industries. We intend to reveal the acting principle of the IoT and its implications for big-data analytics on the supply chain operational performance, particularly with regard to dynamics of operational coordination and optimization for supply chains by leveraging big data obtained from smart connected products (SCPs), and the governance mechanism of big-data sharing. Building on literature closely related to our focal topic, we analyze and deduce the substantial influence of disruptive technologies and emerging business models including the IoT, big data analytics and SCPs on many aspects of supply chains, such as consumers value judgment, products development, resources allocation, operations optimization, revenue management and network governance. Furthermore, we propose several research directions and corresponding research schemes in the new situations. This study aims to promote future researches in the field of big data-driven supply chain management with the IoT, help firms improve data-driven operational decisions, and provide government a reference to advance and regulate the development of the IoT and big data industry.
... Next to cost-based indicators, other efficiency measures are also used, e.g. utilisation (Amini et al., 2007;Chen & Fan, 2012), production efficiency and recall sizes (Saltini & Akkerman, 2012), and utility functions (Hafezalkotob et al., 2011). Responsiveness has two facets: fulfilment and time. ...
... Simulation is only used in a few cases (Amini et al., 2007;Hall & Saygin, 2012;Saltini & Akkerman, 2012;Van der Vorst et al., 2009), and then only at a network control level for supply chain evaluation. Simulation is especially suitable for incorporating complexities for which optimisation is intractable. ...
... Next to costbased indicators, other efficiency measures are also used, e.g. utilisation (Amini et al., 2007;Chen and Fan, 2012), production efficiency and recall sizes (Saltini and Akkerman 2012), and utility functions (Hafezalkotob et al., 2011). ...
... Simulation is only used in a few cases (Amini et al., 2007;Hall and Saygin, 2012;Saltini and Akkerman, 2012;Van der Vorst et al., 2009), and then only at a network control level for supply chain evaluation. Simulation is especially suitable for incorporating complexities for which optimisation is intractable. ...
The floricultural sector is facing market developments that have forced a redesign of the European logistics network. Via workshops and interviews with key stakeholders the main developments and industry needs are identified. These are then summarised in three central themes that require further investigation, i.e. decision problems (e.g. network design and control), context factors (e.g. demand uncertainty and product perishability), and objectives (e.g. efficiency and product quality). Thereafter, 17 articles that review Supply Chain Management (SCM) research are analysed to obtain more insight into the state-of-the-art on these themes and to identify the main issues within the themes and their interrelationships. This resulted in a conceptual research framework in which particular attention is given to how decision problems could be modelled and solved in order to get quantitative insights into the impact of logistics network redesign. Successively, 71 SCM articles were analysed in depth to classify current SCM research and to determine research gaps and challenges. Results show that Floricultural SCM research challenges can be found in integrated, quality-driven and responsive network design and control using hybrid optimisation and simulation.
... Main issues they have are covered and lost tags, misreadings, database access problems and reluctant, untrained personnel. Amini et al. (2007) perform a simulation study in an emergency department using RFID generated data. Data for seven hundred patients are collected over a four week period. ...
... A straightforward approach is to associate each location with an event type so that time spent by an entity at a location will be the time to complete that event. This approach has been used in similar studies in the literature [Amini, 2007]. Another candidate approach is to further breakdown the data exploiting the availability of tracking data of personnel and equipment. ...
... Thus, far, most RFID uses in healthcare have been for patient safety, inventory management and asset tracking (Nagy et al., 2006) or have considered the social impact of RFID in terms of security and privacy (Fisher and Monahan, 2008; Halamka et al., 2006). In other cases, it has been more application specific by looking at patient and staff workflow (Laskowski et al., 2009; Amini et al., 2007; Wang et al., 2006; Chen et al., 2006) or asset tracking (Hakim et al., 2006; Castro et al., 2008) projects. These papers represent some of the trends found in the healthcare RFID literature. ...
... There is, however still a need to conduct further research in this area as it represents a great potential for performance improvements. Given the unobtrusive nature of RFID and its capability to collect high-volume and high-quality data, it opens a variety of uses for research and practice (Amini et al., 2007). One of the challenges is now to efficiently process and analyze this collected data into a usable form while using key performance indicators as the basis for improving targeted processes. ...
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a hospital nursing unit that has evaluated and approved a two‐bin “e‐kanban” replenishment system based on passive high frequency radio‐frequency identification (RFID) technology.
Design/methodology/approach
The case study analysis is based on both qualitative and quantitative data that were collected using semi‐structured interviews, on‐site observations and experience from previous implementations. The data and simulation analysis presented in this paper were validated by key respondents thereby increasing their reliability.
Findings
Results indicate that implementing the e‐kanban RFID solution in conjunction with the redesign of the ward floor and of the roles and functions can substantially improve business and operational performance. The most important benefits for the hospital are derived from the time saved from non‐value‐added activities that can be transferred to patient care activities and the significant reduction of on‐hand inventory at distributed storage locations. The solution is considered an alternative that requires less initial investment than RFID‐enabled cabinets used in the replenishment of consignment and high‐value supplies in operating rooms and cardiac catheterization laboratories.
Research limitations/implications
There is a need to conduct further research on RFID supply chain management (SCM) applications in the healthcare sector as this area holds a great potential for performance improvements. Additionally, there is a need to conduct more in‐depth research into the isolated impact of RFID technology in comparison to the change management and process redesign that it generates. One key limitation of this research is the case study approach based on a single case. This paper, therefore provides direction for practitioners on how to assess RFID's potential impact in the healthcare supply chain.
Originality/value
While most of the research on RFID in healthcare sector focuses on active RFID technology for asset management, this research presents a novel RFID application and contributes to our understanding of RFID's potential in intra‐organizational SCM processes.
... RFID eliminates SC management barriers by synchronizing and sharing helpful information among all trading partners (Delen et al., 2007). The healthcare unit has formulated a simulation model with RFID technology to enhance visibility, understanding of organizational processes, and capacity planning (Amini et al., 2007). ...
Abstract
Purpose
The primary goal of this review is to identify emerging themes in the cold supply chain (CSC) and their future research directions, methodologies, and theories.
Design/methodology/approach
The review looks at CSC related articles from Scopus database published in the years 2000–2020. Thereafter, bibliometric and co-citation analyses have been conducted to identify emerging themes, methodologies, and theoretical perspectives related to CSC management.
Findings
This study revealed a clear research gap in CSC literature with emerging themes relevant to diverse aspects. Primarily, the most prominent authors, methodologies, and theories were identified from bibliometric analysis. Next, we generated clusters to identify the insights of each cluster using co-citation analysis. Consequently, the significance of clusters concerning the number of articles, theoretical frameworks, methodologies, and themes was recognized. Finally, a few future research questions regarding emerging themes have been identified.
Practical implications
The importance of co-citation and bibliometric analyses in studying the evolution of research over a definite time is emphasized in this work. As per emerging themes, implementing digital technologies has increased the efficiency of traditional CSC and transformed it into digital CSC.
Originality/value
As per the authors' knowledge, this work is the first in literature to explore the significance of identifying emerging areas and future research directions in managing CSC through literature review based on bibliometric and co-citation analysis.
... The reviewed literature suggests computer modelling as a suitable approach [12,23]. A numerical approach using computer simulation is a valuable tool for modelling complex systems, such as supply chains. ...
This paper investigates using simulation to predict the benefits and costs of digitalising cold distribution chains. The study focuses on the distribution of refrigerated beef in the UK, where digitalisation was implemented to re-route cargo carriers. By comparing simulations of both digitalised and non-digitalised supply chains, the study found that digitalisation can reduce beef waste and decrease the number of miles driven per successful delivery, leading to potential cost savings. Note that this work is not attempting to prove that digitalisation is appropriate for the chosen scenario, only to justify a simulation approach as a decision making tool. The proposed modelling approach provides decision-makers with more accurate predictions of the cost–benefit of increased sensorisation in supply chains. By accounting for stochastic and variable parameters, such as weather and demand fluctuations, simulation can be used to identify potential challenges and estimate the economic benefits of digitalisation. Moreover, qualitative assessments of the impact on customer satisfaction and product quality can help decision-makers consider the broader impacts of digitalisation. Overall, the study suggests that simulation can play a crucial role in facilitating informed decisions about the implementation of digital technologies in the food supply chain. By providing a better understanding of the potential costs and benefits of digitalisation, simulation can help organisations make more strategic and effective decisions.
... Moreover, IoT and CPSs within logistics including embedded intelligence in products, cities and infrastructure such as vehicles and mobile equipment (Redelberger 2014) can influence logistics management by bringing about productivity and efficiency improvements (Qiu et al. 2015;Macaulay, Buckalew, and Chung 2015;Reinhart et al. 2013;Schuh et al. 2013). For instance, the embedded cyber-physical intelligence such as RFID tags and sensors can be applied in logistics management to enhance visibility through enabling monitoring and tracking capabilities (Hassan et al. 2015;Chung 2015;Modrak and Moskvich 2012;Amini et al. 2009). RFID technology can, particularly, enable real-time traceability and interoperability of resources, leading to improved planning and controlling (Hassan et al. 2015;Qiu et al. 2015;Zhang et al. 2011). ...
Considering the crucial role Information Technology (IT) plays in achieving performance improvements in business processes, this paper aims to explore the potential impact of the fourth industrial revolution – Industry 4.0 and its associated technological advances on Supply Chain (SC) performance. This study is exploratory research, conducted based on inductive reasoning, which aims to bring new insights into the topic, and to provide forward-thinking for future research. Hence, through conducting a systematic literature review, the paper attempts to explore the impact of Industry 4.0 on SC performance and to conceptualise and develop findings into an operational framework underpinned by Systems Theory. Based on this research, the application of Industry 4.0-enabling-technologies is expected to bring about significant performance improvements in SCM by enabling a holistic approach towards supply chain management resulting from extensive supply chain integration as well as information sharing and transparency throughout the supply chain. Moreover, these technologies allow for huge performance improvements within individual supply chain processes such as procurement, production, inventory management and retailing through enabling process integration, digitisation and automation, and bringing about novel analytical capabilities.
... 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]. ...
Emergency department crowding has been one of the main issues in the health system in Taiwan. Previous studies have usually targeted the process improvement of patient treatment flow due to the difficulty of collecting Emergency Department (ED) staff data. In this study, we have proposed a hybrid model with Discrete Event Simulation, radio frequency identification applications, and activity-relationship diagrams to simulate the nurse movement flows and identify the relationship between different treatment sections. We used the results to formulate four facility layouts. Through comparing four scenarios, the simulation results indicated that 2.2 km of traveling distance or 140 min of traveling time reduction per nurse could be achieved from the best scenario.
... Existing projects that could be detected [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] are not focused on the same type of medication and/or traceability (registration of preparation date, exit from the Pharmacy Service, arrival at the Day Hospital, hour of delivery and administration, etc.), and as such do not provide the same traceability details. ...
One of the principal objectives of hospitals is to increase the quality of care of the patient. This is even more of a priority in Day Hospitals where certain medication requires special attention, from its preparation in the Pharmacy service to its delivery to the patient in the Day Hospital. In the case of expensive medicines, nursing staff have to comply with very detailed instructions in their administration to the patient (name of medicine, route, dosage, schedule, previous medication, conditions of conservation, etc.). This work focuses on the development of a multi-faceted hub application to facilitate the traceability of mixed intravenous medication from the beginning to the end of the process of prescription-validation-dosing-preparation-administration (PVD-PA) and be available to all health professionals involved: doctors, pharmacists, and the nursing staff of the Hospital Pharmacy and Day Hospital.
... For the study at hand, the simulation framework of Law (2013) was selected (see Fig. 1). This framework has frequently been used in the literature to guide simulation studies (e.g., Amini, Otondo, Janz, & Pitts, 2007) as it describes a comprehensive process for developing a rigorous simulation model. For other simulation frameworks or proposed steps for a simulation study, see e.g. ...
Retrieving items from storage locations in warehouses, commonly referred to as order picking, is often performed by human workers in practice. The high amount of human work involved in order picking turns this activity into a time- and cost-intensive process step in warehouse operations. Due to the cost impact of manual order picking, researchers have developed various planning methods that support practitioners in realizing an efficient order picking process. Among these planning approaches, methods that support the routing of order pickers through the warehouse have been a very popular research topic in recent years, with the focus being both on the development of optimal and heuristic routing policies. Surprisingly, problems that may arise when implementing picker routes for human workers in practice have not been investigated so far. There is, however, empirical evidence that order pickers tend to deviate from optimal routes in practice, putting the efficiency of these routing approaches at stake.
... Among other things, their model helped improve patient safety, avoid adverse drug events and reduce cost. Also, a previous study by Amini, Otondo, Janz, & Pitts [19] described how RFID could be used as a unique approach to collect data on trauma patient flow in a hospital using a discrete simulation approach. In their research, they leveraged high value data produced by RFID to simulate the movement of patients from the critical care assessment area in a trauma center to the X-ray and CT/MRI labs. ...
Long queues and wait times often occur at hospitals and affect smooth delivery of health services. To improve hospital operations, prior studies have developed scheduling techniques to minimize patient wait times. However, these studies lack in demonstrating how such techniques respond to real-time information needs of hospitals and efficiently manage wait times. This article presents a multi-method study on the positive impact of providing real-time scheduling information to patients using the RFID technology. Using a simulation methodology, we present a generic scenario, which can be mapped to real-life situations, where patients can select the order of laboratory services. The study shows that information visibility offered by RFID technology results in decreased wait times and improves resource utilization. We also discuss the applicability of the results based on field interviews granted by hospital clinicians and administrators on the perceived barriers and benefits of an RFID system.
... (v) make pilot runs; (vi) programmed model validation; (vii) design experiments; (viii) make production runs; (ix) analyze output data; and (x) document, present, and use results. Examples of research that used this method in production environments are: Amini et al. (2007), Vaccaro (2009), Greasley (2005), Pergher, Deus and Rossi Filho (2009), among others. ...
This paper proposes a method for defining the levels of work in progress (WIP) in productive environments managed by constant work in process (CONWIP) policies. The proposed method combines the approaches of Computer Simulation and Electre TRI to support estimation of the adequate level of WIP and is presented in eighteen steps. The paper also presents an application example, performed on a metalworking company. The research method is based on Computer Simulation, supported by quantitative data analysis. The main contribution of the paper is its provision of a structured way to define inventories according to demand. With this method, the authors hope to contribute to the establishment of better capacity plans in production environments.
... Lee et al. (2008) noted that the customer-facing service-focused RFID applications have not received much attention. Along with focusing on improving efficiencies in the supplier management process, service organizations can employ RFID-enabled systems to identify and prevent service failures (Ngai et al., 2008) and collect transaction data for service process improvements (Amini et al., 2007), thus enhancing the service effectiveness and the overall value proposition to the customer (Tzeng et al., 2008). Lowered operational costs, increased product availability and cleaner product data enabled by RFID systems not only benefit adopting organizations but also translate into benefits for the end consumer. ...
Purpose
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems are transforming hospital operations by improving care and reducing costs. However, hospital managers have some concerns about adopting RFID technologies. These are cost, return on investment, privacy and other technology issues. This study examines RFID adoption in health-care industry based on the Technology-Organization-Environment framework. This paper aims to demonstrate how US hospitals are adopting RFID technologies and make recommendations, using empirical data.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was sent to Chief Information Officers and the top information technology (IT) executives of US acute care hospitals to determine the extent to which hospitals have implemented RFID technologies including the reasons, concerns and applications of RFID technologies, and the antecedents of RFID adoption in hospitals.
Findings
The study found that a high percentage of respondents have adopted or are considering adopting RFID technology as a new management tool. Organizational and technological factors have strong positive influence on adoption, whereas environmental factors do not significantly affect the adoption decisions. The main reasons for implementing RFID technology are improved hospital operations, including inventory management, asset control, workflow and patient flow. Some of the concerns are cost of RFID tags and cost associated with implementation.
Research limitations/implications
This study is limited to a small sample (n = 86) of US hospitals. This study should continue to be replicated in the future, as adoption of RFID technologies matures in the health-care sector.
Originality/value
This study informs health-care managers on the challenges and opportunities of RFID by identifying motivations, barriers and issues related to RFID adoption. The findings of this study will expand the emerging literature and provide direction to academicians for further research in technology adoption.
... Some tasks, such as blood transfusions, are controlled by means of RFID technologies [4] to find the correct blood bag for a specific patient. Amini et al. [5] proposed the use of an RFID system to collect data related to the movement of trauma patients. Tracking the position of components in a manufacturing chain is commonly carried out by means of RFID technologies. ...
The proposed structure in this research is constructed on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology and has a mechanism that produces 16 different and distinct resonant frequencies between 2.45 and 3.05 GHz by perturbing a fundamental T E 10 mode. It is a unique method for producing multiple resonances in a radio frequency planar structure without any extra circuitry or passive elements is developed. The proposed SIW structure has four vertical fluidic holes (channels); injecting eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn), also known commonly as liquid metal (LM), into these vertical channels produces different resonant frequencies. Either a channel is empty, or it is filled with LM. In total, the combination of different frequencies produced from four vertical channels is 16.
... Generally, simulation testing is a very good way to avoid costly works because it is hard works to deploy the real devices with considering various business conditions [ [13], [14], [15], [16]]. There are many studies for RFID simulation [ [17], [18], [19], [20], [21]]. In this section, in particular, we discuss simulation based data generation studies for RFID systems. ...
The testing of RFID information services requires a test data set of business events comprising object, aggregation, quantity and transaction events. To generate business events, we need to address the performance issues in creating a large volume of event data. This paper proposes a new model for the tag life cycle and a fast generation algorithm for this model. We present the results of experiments with the generation algorithm, showing that it outperforms previous methods.
... This is so that it is available to all HSCM participants (Zheng et al., 2006). A joint application of RFID technology has been found conducive to the delivery of expectations by HSCM members (Amini et al., 2007). ...
Healthcare supply chain has been a subject of interest for many years. The pressure of changes in environment lead to changes in guiding principles which produce solid problems viewed as problems with no feasible solutions. Healthcare supply chain demands effort on part of researchers to not view the problems as static. The different factors need to be viewed as dynamic. We attempt to highlight the benefits of adopting a factor interaction approach to hospital protocol. The interpretative system modelling (ISM) approach is utilized for interaction of variables affecting healthcare supply chain. This can provide healthcare sector professionals with programme guidelines where they can investigate their dynamic effects. Case study analysis and interviews have been used for generating data for ISM to understand the frame of reference in which Healthcare supply chain operate. ISM methodology has been successfully used to observe the boundaries between the different stratums of various systems and visualise the different echelons of the interacting variables of Healthcare supply chain operations. This helps to embrace and integrate human thinking. This is an advantage over hard quantitative approaches where expert knowledge is pushed to give a number to their opinion usually in form of weights to variables such as structured equation modelling or goal programming using historical data. The research paper aims to build a new frame of reference for studying and measuring the performance of Healthcare supply chain operations.
... Some tasks, such as blood transfusions, are controlled by means of RFID technologies [7] in order to find the correct blood bag for a specific patient. Amini et al. [8] propose the use of an RFID system to collect data related to the movements of trauma patients. ...
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been widely used in the field of construction during the last two decades. Basically, RFID facilitates the control on a wide variety of processes in different stages of the lifecycle of a building, from its conception to its inhabitance. The main objective of this paper is to present a review of RFID applications in the construction industry, pointing out the existing developments, limitations and gaps. The paper presents the establishment of the RFID technology in four main stages of the lifecycle of a facility: planning and design, construction and commission and operation and maintenance. Concerning this last stage, an RFID application aiming to facilitate the identification of pieces of furniture in scanned inhabited environments is presented. Conclusions and future advances are presented at the end of the paper.
... can be used to model both existing and conceptual systems and can support both practice and research for a variety of contexts including industry, government, education, or healthcare (Amini, Otondo, Janz, & Pitts, 2007;Banks, 1998). We create a simulation model for the job-shop OPT manufacturing facility using the Simio simulation program. ...
... Bendavid et al., 2006;Jehng et al., 2008), computer simulation modelling (e.g. Amini et al., 2007), expert evaluations, technical and 'business' workshops, etc. ...
The purpose of the paper is to present a 'living laboratory' research environment, analyse its role for exploring innovative supply chain models, and discuss the methodological approaches used in the laboratory during the front-end phases of a new product/service development process. The research approach relies on an open innovation platform characterised by 'users as innovators' cooperating in an open and independent research environment to envision, design, negotiate, develop, test and validate emerging supply chain models. Results indicate that the 'living laboratory' represents an alternative research environment, which is particularly well fitted for exploring emerging phenomena such as RFID-enabled supply chain management models as it provides appropriate support to networked innovation collaborative processes.
... Tzeng et al. (2008), through five different cases studies in Taiwan, demonstrated the commercial value of RFID technology integration and implementation in the healthcare service. In a similar study Amini et al. (2007) showed that the use of RFID technology in healthcare can generate high quality data that can be utilized in simulation modeling which enables healthcare professionals to optimize and improve their processes. ...
As the operations management(OM) and supply chain management (SCM) field has evolved,a greater
emphasis on services has emerged. The healthcare industry represents an important sector within
services, however,little is known about the current state of research into health care OM and SCM.
The purpose of this research is to conduct a structured analysis of OM and SCM studies conducted in
healthcare and inform three key questions:(1) what are the primary topics or themes in the extant
healthcare OM and SCM literature, (2) what are the prevalent methodological approaches employed in
healthcare OM and SCM, and (3) what does the future o fOM and SCM researchin healthcare hold?
The questionsareinformedviaastructuredanalysisofhealthcarepaperspublishedbetween1982
and 2011insevenesteemedscholarlyjournaloutletsintheOMandSCM field—Decision Sciences Journal,
International Journal of Operations and Production Management, International Journal of Production
Economics, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, Production and
Operations Management, and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal. Throughscreening9979
papers, and carefully analyzing the literature,this study makes at least four important contributions by:
(1) using quantitative methods to identify the current investigatory themes,(2)quantifying method-
logical trends,(3)providing a qualitative narrative description of the to research themes,and
4) qualitatively describing directions for future research
... Despite the seemingly self-evident potential for RFID-enabled visibility to reduce IRI, due to the difficulty of rigorous study design in the field (Dutta et al. 2007), very limited empirical research has demonstrated how RFID can help (Amini et al. 2007, Hardgrave et al. 2009). Until there are empirical estimates of impact, many in the industry will continue to question its business value (Cachon and Fisher 2000, Camderelli 2008, Hozak and Collier 2008, McWilliams 2007, Whitaker et al. 2007) and companies will be unwilling to adopt. ...
Accurate inventory records are key to effective store execution, affecting forecasting, ordering, and replenishment. Prior empirical research, however, shows that retailer inventory records are inherently inaccurate. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) enables visibility into the movement of inventories in the supply chain. Using two different field experiments, the current research investigates the effectiveness of this visibility in reducing retail store inventory record inaccuracy (IRI). Study 1 used an interrupted time‐series design and involved daily physical counts of all products in one category in 13 stores (8 treatments and 5 controls) of a major global retailer over 23 weeks. Results indicate a significant decrease in IRI of approximately 26% due to RFID‐enabled visibility. Using an untreated control group design with pre‐test and post‐test, Study 2 expands the number of categories to five and the number of stores to 62 (31 treatment and 31 control stores). Results show that the effectiveness of RFID in reducing IRI varies by category (ranging from no statistically significant improvement to 81%). Results also suggest that RFID ameliorates the effects of known determinants of IRI and provide the key insight that the technology is most effective for product categories characterized by these determinants.
... (v) make pilot runs; (vi) programmed model validation; (vii) design experiments; (viii) make production runs; (ix) analyze output data; and (x) document, present, and use results. Examples of research that used this method in production environments are: Amini et al. (2007), Vaccaro (2009), Greasley (2005), Pergher, Deus and Rossi Filho (2009), among others. ...
This paper proposes a method for defining the levels of work in progress (WIP) in productive environments managed by constant work in process (CONWIP) policies. The proposed method combines the approaches of Computer Simulation and Electre TRI to support estimation of the adequate level of WIP and is presented in eighteen steps. The paper also presents an application example, performed on a metalworking company. The research method is based on Computer Simulation, supported by quantitative data analysis. The main contribution of the paper is its provision of a structured way to define inventories according to demand. With this method, the authors hope to contribute to the establishment of better capacity plans in production environments.
... Tajima in [56] described 15 different benefits for using RFID in SCM. Amini et al. [57] explored one extra benefit of using RFID as the data source for SM development. They demonstrated that with the RFID capability to allow selective data collection and organization, it enhances data availability, at various levels of detail and complexity defined by the user. ...
Recently, most healthcare organizations focus their attention on reducing the cost of their supply chain management (SCM) by improving the decision making pertaining processes' efficiencies. The availability of products through healthcare SCM is often a matter of life or death to the patient; therefore, trial and error approaches are not an option in this environment. Simulation and modeling (SM) has been presented as an alternative approach for supply chain managers in healthcare organizations to test solutions and to support decision making processes associated with various SCM problems. This paper presents and analyzes past SM efforts to support decision making in healthcare SCM and identifies the key challenges associated with healthcare SCM modeling. We also present and discuss emerging technologies to meet these challenges.
... RFID technology was applied in various areas, accompanied with the simulation, such as supply chain [6,7], manufacturer-retailer supply chain [8,9], inventory management in supply chain [10,11], logistics and reverse logistics [12], inventory management of time-sensitive materials on shop floor [13], and hospitals supply chain and asset management [14,15]. Most of these papers are trying to assess the benefits of adopting the RFID technology whatever the application area. ...
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has significant impact on product tracking and
identification in manufacturing systems. Most of the business cases that implement the RFID technology
in their operations have achieved various benefits. RFID technology can reduce the operating errors that
affect the efficiency of the operations which results in improving different performance measures such as
cycle time, throughput, work-in-process, resources utilization, and average waiting time in queues. In
addition, several benefits such as improved items monitoring, lower lead times, and better inventory
control can be achieved by introducing RFID technology. Recent developments in RFID technology and
other supporting technologies have created opportunities for real-time traceability and better visibility in
shop floor operations. This work investigates the effectiveness of introducing RFID technology in
tracking and identification processes for products flow in a job shop manufacturing facility. A leading
furniture manufacturer in Egypt has been selected as a case study. The manufacturer produces a large
number of customized furniture products. Errors in tracking and identification usually occur due to the
large number of products present on the shop floor. Introduction of radio frequency identification
technology at different stages of manufacturing is proposed to overcome these errors. Different
simulation models have been developed for the post-assembly processes in the facility. These models have
been developed with an intent to capture all the features that characterize a real furniture manufacturing
facility. Simulation is used to assess the impact of introducing the RFID technology on a number of
performance measures. Analysis and comparison of simulation results for the base and proposed models
show that RFID implementation can improve the overall performance of the facility.
This paper presents a systematic review of the literature relating to the usage of engineering tools and methods for increasing the efficiency of hospitals and their internal processes, with a particular attention to the management of operating rooms. By means of specific queries made on the Scopus database, a sample of 44 papers describing the usage of technical tools for process optimization in the healthcare context has been retrieved. Descriptive statistics are proposed to delineate the trend of the research in time and to identify the top journals by number of terms of publications. Then, a more in depth analysis has been made, for classifying the papers in terms of their primary focus, tool and performance parameters used for evaluating the efficiency of the system. From the set of analyses made, useful indications are derived for a practical usage of the tools identified, as well as interesting suggestions for future research activities.
Many organizations are confronted with the challenge of improving supply chain transparency not only to meet regulatory requirements, but also to optimize operations, guarantee the quality of outputs, and ensure the sustainability of processes. As this topic has garnered significant interest across a wide range of academic disciplines, there is a need to synthesize and categorize these diverse contributions to inspire future investigations of emerging or under-researched substantive areas. This article addresses this need by reviewing existing research on supply chain transparency and offers an integrated understanding of this growing literature. By analyzing a sample of over 300 peer-reviewed articles through bibliometric and automated text mining methods, we identify six distinct clusters that represent substantive literature subdomains: transparency technologies, knowledge integration, governance, sustainability, traceability, and resilience. Building on these structured analyses, we develop a literature framework to comprehensively organize insights from these clusters and illustrate the conceptual relationships between transparency management systems, transparency vehicles, and transparency outcomes. By providing a holistic examination of how supply chain transparency is enabled, our framework aids researchers’ future studies and guides practitioners’ strategies to identify, diagnose, and address modern challenges that face supply chains (e.g., COVID-19 pandemic, workplace exploitation, increased third-party scrutiny).
The efforts of this review paper are twofold: to provide an insightful examination of various contributions to knowledge surrounding simulation methods within an end-to-end supply chain and to guide research agenda by indicating generic elements required to model such systems using simulation. The authors examined 255 publications from 21 peer-reviewed journals in the field of an end-to-end supply chain and simulation using a systematic literature review approach. Each publication was thoroughly reviewed to capture best practices and key characteristics relative to simulation modelling techniques used in the context of complex end-to-end supply chain systems. This allowed for identification of generic elements required to model such systems, which were grouped into Structural, Computational and System Organization pillars. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by defining generic aspects of simulation modelling techniques used to study properties and attributes of complex end-to-end supply chains. The paper advances the theoretical understanding of the simulation methods used and applicability of simulation methodology in modelling end-to-end supply chain systems. The research presents the key findings from the use of simulation in modelling end-to-end supply chains and the main ways in which this modelling technique has informed research and practise.
Hospitals in the United States (U.S.), and the healthcare industry as a whole, are experiencing major transformations that will likely affect every facet of our society. One such example is a federal regulation known as the Value‐Based Purchasing (VBP) program, which shifts hospital reimbursements for services rendered away from a fee‐for‐service model to a value‐based model. This change requires hospitals to more accurately track and document resources/assets utilized in the delivery of care, in addition to appropriate health outcomes. Hence, the focus of this study is on assessing the effect of the joint use of RFID and EDI on hospital performance, namely supply chain cost efficiency, personnel expenses, and hospital readmission rates. The findings, based on secondary, longitudinal data on more than 3,300 US hospitals spanning eight years, suggest that hospitals bundling RFID and EDI experience an initial decrease in supply chain cost efficiency and increase in personnel expenses, with no immediate impact on readmission rates. However, over time, better supply chain cost efficiency, lower personnel expenses, and a consistent reduction in readmission rates accrue from the long‐term and consistent leveraging of the RFID‐EDI bundle. Thus, the overarching contribution of this study is the elucidation of how and along what measures the bundled leveraging of RFID and EDI improves hospital performance, as well as which measures of hospital performance are time (in)variant. We round out this study with a discussion of our findings, their implications, and offer directions for future research.
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Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the current state of logistics practices in healthcare organizations in Bogota, Colombia.
Design/methodology/approach
The assessment is based on case study research using open interviews, focused interviews, a questionnaire and direct observations as sources of evidence. Seven Colombian health care settings are analyzed: four public hospitals and three private clinics. Cross-case analysis allows the identification of patterns regarding supply management, inventory management, replenishment and use of information and communication technologies.
Findings
Manual procedures, poor planning, little recognition from top management and a lack of specialized personnel characterize the current situation. Innovative practices with a potential to improve the efficacy of logistics activities are rare, particularly in public hospitals.
Research avenues
Future research could replicate this study in other Colombian cities, in order to generalize the results to the whole country. It could also be interesting to document successful and less successful implementations of innovative logistics practices in Colombian hospitals to guide and promote their adoption.
Research limitations
The small number of cases considered, and the fact that the research is concentrated in one city, limits the generalizability of the results.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to explore the state of healthcare logistics practices in Colombia.
Discrete event simulation (DES) software is often used in business process management (BPM) projects, in order to support modeling, change and automatization of process modeling. However, the current research lacks systematic overview of the benefits and pitfalls of using DES software for BPM. The goal of this paper is to provide a systematic analysis of research paper related to the operations research, computer science, business and management that report the usage of DES in BPM projects, in order to shed some light in this area. Results of this analysis could be useful to academics and business practitioners in their projects.
Increasing global competition on product quality and production costs, and the need for flexibility in production petition for transformed production processes which enable high level of connectivity and integration between business processes and systems. Much of the conventional computer- integrated efforts and advanced manufacturing technologies are limited in scope and restricted to only some organisational areas. Such limited scope, which stems from limited connectivity and integration between manufacturing and enterprise systems, confines the achievement of full potential of these systems within manufacturing. Industry 4.0, characterised by computing developments, can create a platform for addressing integration challenge through enabling comprehensive connectivity. Hence, this paper, through following deductive research paradigm and using systems theory as the theoretical base, aims to investigate recent academic research and industrial reports in the area of Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing to provide detailed insights on execution of Industry 4.0, and to propose a theoretical framework for operationalisation of Industry 4.0 in manufacturing.
This chapter first provides the fundamentals of patient flow in healthcare settings. It then explains different types of healthcare settings in the United States, and discusses major patient flow and care transition issues within and between those settings. The chapter also reviews various care transitions patients may experience in a healthcare system during the course of their illnesses. Transitions between different care units affect patient flow, staff, and operations. Next, the chapter details the use of process mapping for understanding and improving patient flow and clinical workflow processes. It further considers some of the main contributors to patient flow, including admission and discharge, emergency department (ED) capacity and crowding, ED boarding, OR scheduling, and variability. Queues are ubiquitous in healthcare. Patients get in line for care, radiology images are in line for review and assessment. Queuing theory is a mathematical study of waiting lines.
This chapter explains the components of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID); the aspects of RFID; the barriers to RFID utilization; the privacy and security issues of RFID; the RFID applications in supply chain management; the RFID applications in the health care industry; the RFID applications in modern business; the Near Field Communication (NFC) in mobile devices; the overview of Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET); the security concern of MANET; and the advanced issues of MANET in the digital age. RFID and MANET become the growing components of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications and can be effectively utilized in global operations. The chapter argues that RFID and MANET have the potential to increase the efficiency of operations in various industries, improve asset visibility and traceability, decrease reliance on manual processes, reduce operation costs, and provide useful data for business analytics.
This paper presents a systematic literature review of papers that were published in academic journals on the applications of radio frequency identification (RFID) in supply chain management between the years 2000 and 2015. As the literature on RFID is not confined to specific disciplines or repositories, this paper proposes a discipline-based framework for classifying RFID literature. Five main classification categories are used in this paper: technology, supply chain management, research methodology, application industries, and social aspects. The paper then focuses on the category of supply chain management and reviews 1187 articles that were published between 2000 and 2015 in rated journals. All the papers reviewed are further classified into eight subclasses under this category of supply chain management. The review yields useful insights into the anatomy of RFID literature in supply chain management, enhances evidence-based knowledge, and contributes to informing practice, policymaking and future research. The review reveals that even presently, despite technical and cost challenges, enormous potential exists for the application of RFID in several areas of supply chain management and the prospects are likely to grow into the future. Since RFID solutions have emerged primarily over only the past 20 years, significant research opportunities exist and would need to be addressed to continue to support the technology’s maturation, evaluation, adoption, implementation, and diffusion.
An RFID system has been widely applied in many areas over the initial SCM application. In the literature enormous RFID applications in healthcare are documented to improve patient safety, patient/provider logistics, and the efficiency of collecting data. Based on the proposed 4-layered RFID system architecture, we introduce a case that implemented an UHF passive RFID-based tracking system in an outpatient clinic. Particularly, we propose a method to process RFID data that contains noise and missing reads. The proposed method for processing unreliable RFID data is capable to locate the tag accurately and provide additional business information. We finally conclude the paper with identifying obstacles and what is necessary to ensure system reliability.
A hospital in Singapore considers deploying radio-frequency identification (RFID) system and setting up a new discharge lounge to improve the patient discharge process. This study uses computer simulation in modeling and comparing the current process without the RFID system and the discharge lounge and the new process with the RFID system and the discharge lounge, and assesses the impact of the RFID system and the discharge lounge on the process in terms of resource utilization and times taken in the process. The results could prove helpful to those who consider deploying RFID system for the patient discharge process in hospitals or other similar processes.
Tracking difficulty generally exists in the traditional warehouse management mode in the business process, the turnover, low efficiency, logistics management information processing is not seasonable and means backward, thus affecting the competitiveness of enterprises, based on the analysis of traditional logistics warehousing management deficiencies, the great advantage of application of RFID technology in logistics field to solve the above problem. The logistics management information system based on RFID is analyzed, based on the traditional logistics business processes analysis, given the information and process structure of logistics business processes, and established a framework method storage business system based on RFID technology.
Due to the effectiveness, simple deployment and low cost, radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are used in a variety of applications to uniquely identify physical objects. The operation of RFID systems often involves a situation in which multiple readers physically located near one another may interfere with one another’s operation. Such reader collision must be minimized to avoid the faulty or miss reads. Specifically, scheduling the colliding RFID readers to reduce the total system transaction time or response time is the challenging problem for large-scale RFID network deployment. Therefore, the aim of this work is to use a successful multi-swarm cooperative optimizer called PS2O to minimize both the reader-to-reader interference and total system transaction time in RFID reader networks. The main idea of PS2O is to extend the single population PSO to the interacting multi-swarm model by constructing hierarchical interaction topology and enhanced dynamical update equations. As the RFID network scheduling model formulated in this work is a discrete problem, a binary version of PS2O algorithm is proposed. With seven discrete benchmark functions, PS2O is proved to have significantly better performance than the original PSO and a binary genetic algorithm. PS2O is then used for solving the real-world RFID network scheduling problem. Numerical results for four test cases with different scales, ranging from 30 to 200 readers, demonstrate the performance of the proposed methodology.
While efficient consumer response (ECR), radio frequency identification (RFID) and supply chain visibility are concepts that have received academic and practitioner attention, the benefits of integration have not been considered in any detail. Based on a systematic review of literature, the findings suggest that designing retail supply chains to integrate the concepts of RFID, ECR and visibility presents opportunities for sustained competitive advantage. The contribution made by this article is the formulation of six research propositions which propose that the integration of ECR, RFID and supply chain visibility may be considered as a strategic capability within retail supply networks. By adopting the theoretical lens of the resource-based view of the firm, research propositions examining integration as per the characteristics of valuable, rare, imperfectly mobile, not imitable and not substitutable are developed.
The Veteran's Health Administration VHA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, forming the arm of the Department of Veterans Affairs VA that delivers medical services. From a troubled past, the VHA today is regarded as a model for healthcare transformation. The VA has evaluated and adopted a variety of cutting-edge approaches to foster greater efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare delivery as part of their systems redesign initiative. This paper discusses the integration of two health care analysis platforms: Discrete Event Simulation DES, and Real Time Locating systems RTLS presenting examples of work done at the St. Louis VA Medical Center. Use of RTLS data for generation and validation of DES models is detailed, with prescriptive discussion of methodologies. The authors recommend the careful consideration of these relatively new approaches which show promise in assisting systems redesign initiatives across the health care spectrum.
Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) is often used by health care providers to test the operational efficiency of new ideas before they are applied in practice. In health care, decisions are related to many variables. Simulation modeling is a way to test changes in the different variables in a computerized environment to decide on ideas for improvements before implementation. Usually simulations encounter assumptions. Simulation results are as accurate as the assumptions. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors enable real-time, efficient and accurate collection of data. These data are used by professionals to make decision related to sharing of the resources between hospital departments. This paper proposes a simulation model to support health care decision makers in assessing ideas related to resource utilization based on RFID-based collected data. The study demonstrated the usefulness of combining RFID with computer simulation for exploring the trade-offs between resource utilization and clinic performance. Useful software applications can be built on top of new technologies to contribute to optimizing business processes, reducing data errors and improving the overall applications' results.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an emerging technology that is increasingly being used in supply chain management. RFID technology plays an important role in supporting logistics and supply chain processes because of their ability to identify, trace and track information throughout the supply chain. The technology can provide suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers precise real time information about the products. This accurate knowledge of the inventory would result in lower labor cost, simplified business processes and improved supply chain efficiency. If properly used, it has the potential to cut ordering lead time and cost on inventory control, increase the accuracy of inventory information, help avoid stockouts and boost the number of inventory turns. In this paper, we provide an overview of the current state of RFID applications in different industries and its impact on business operations. We provide extensive literature survey and develop a framework for future research areas in this field.
This paper explores the applications and future commercial impacts of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Its objective is to summarize the ways in which organizations and academics are thinking about these technologies and to stimulate strategic thinking about their possible uses and implications. It first provides an overview of this technology and how it works. Then it explores the surprisingly wide variety of current applications of RFID. Next it looks at several classes of potential RFID applications and how these might affect how organizations work. Finally, it examines the cost and implementation considerations of this technology. The paper concludes that RFID is a viable technology with many possible applications. However, only some of the impacts on organizations and society can be anticipated at present.
The authors develop methods for optimally scheduling and sequencing customer arrivals to a single-server appointment system. Customers are characterized by probabilistic service times with distinct distributions, and the server works according to a first-come, first-served discipline. A customer may fail to show for an appointment with known probability, but all arriving customers are assumed to be punctual. Costs are incurred at a specified rate per unit time that each customer waits for service, and an additional cost is incurred for every unit of time that the server operates beyond a scheduled closing time. The objective is to minimize the combined costs of customer waiting and server overtime. Possible applications include scheduling surgeons to operating suites, scheduling military aircraft to training ranges, and scheduling service activities for telecommunication technicians.
In recent years, computer simulation has become a mainstream decision support tool in manufacturing industry. In order to maximise the benefits of using simulation within businesses simulation models should be designed, developed and deployed in a shorter time span. A number of factors, such as excessive model details, inefficient data collection, lengthy model documentation and poorly planned experiments, increase the overall lead time of simulation projects. Among these factors, input data modelling is seen as a major obstacle. Input data identification, collection, validation, and analysis, typically take more than one-third of project time. This paper presents a IDEF (Integrated computer-aided manufacturing DEFinition) based approach to accelerate identification and collection of input data. The use of the methodology is presented through its application in batch manufacturing environments. A functional module library and a reference data model, both developed using the IDEF family of constructs, are the core elements of the methodology. The paper also identifies the major causes behind the inefficient collection of data.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology promises to transform supply chain management. Building on previous research in information systems and supply chain management, this paper proposes a theoretical framework for RFID adoption and benefits, and tests the framework using data on U.S. firms. Our analysis suggests that there is a positive association between information technology (IT) application deployment and RFID adoption. We find that RFID implementation spending and partner mandate are associated with an expectation of early return on RFID investment, and a perceived lack of industry-wide standards is associated with an expectation of delayed return on RFID investment. These results suggest that firms with broad IT application deployment and a critical mass of RFID implementation spending are more likely to report early returns from RFID deployments. This paper extends previous research to understand the relationship between organization characteristics and adoption and expected benefits of the emerging RFID technology.
Dynamic scheduling is an important new innovation in manufacturing and supply chain management. However, the success of dynamic scheduling will depend on real-time information. This paper describes intelligent tracking technologies that provide real-time information throughout the supply chain to support keywords a logistics planning and execution.
The beds of an intensive care unit (ICU) are a scarce resource. Stochastic patient demands for these beds and stochastic service times in their utilization make managing that resource a complex problem lacking an easy solution. The current practice in one Hong Kong hospital is for the ICU administrator to exploit the fact that there are some patients whose admission to the unit can be postponed. These are patients scheduled for an elective surgery that can be cancelled. One way to minimize the number of cancelled surgeries is to reserve some of the unit's beds for the exclusive use of the elective-surgery patients. We evaluate various bed-reservation schemes via a simulation model that is based on this ICU's historical data, and demonstrate the tradeoffs that each requires among various relevant system-performance measures. We further show how this information can be summarized in a classic efficient frontier. This frontier provides a useful medium through which the ICU administrator can communicate the rationale behind the chosen bed-allocation system to the surgeons and the ICU physicians, in an attempt to resolve the potential conflicts between them.
This paper examines the design and development of a discrete-event (visual) simulation model of a physician clinic environment within a physician network. Biological & Popular Culture, Inc, (Biopop) sought to partner with healthcare professionals to provide high-quality, cost-effective medical care within a physician network setting. Towards this end, a discrete-event (visual) simulation model that captures both the operations of a family practice healthcare clinic and a centralized information center is presented. The research presented in this article focuses on the family practice healthcare clinic. This simulation model is built in an object-oriented, visual manner utilizing the visual simulation environment (VSE). Application of the object-oriented paradigm (OOP) allows simulation objects in the model to be easily reused. The simulation model provides a tool for risk-free evaluation of operating policies in the clinical environment. Results of a fractional factorial design to determine those input factors which significantly affect overall clinic effectiveness are reported.
In recent decades, health care costs have dramatically increased, while health care organisations have been under severe pressure to provide improved quality health care for their patients. Several health care administrators have used discrete-event simulation as an effective tool for allocating scarce resources to improve patient flow, while minimising health care delivery costs and increasing patient satisfaction. The rapid growth in simulation software technology has created numerous new application opportunities, including more sophisticated implementations, as well as combining optimisation and simulation for complex integrated facilities. This paper surveys the application of discrete-event simulation modeling to health care clinics and systems of clinics (for example, hospitals, outpatient clinics, emergency departments, and pharmacies). Future directions of research and applications are also discussed.
To evaluate four strategies for monitoring plasma HIV RNA levels and/or resistance genotypes to decide when to change antiretroviral therapy. The strategies include: (i) 1997 guidelines recommending a therapy switch when plasma RNA exceeds a threshold level; (ii) a viral load policy, using a fixed increase in viral load as the trigger; (iii) a genotype policy, requiring a smaller viral rebound than (ii) and detection of genotypic resistance before switching; and (iv) a proactive policy, switching drug regimens at a predetermined time if viral load has not rebounded.
A Monte Carlo simulation tracks patients' viral loads and presence of opportunistic infection during therapy. The model uses clinical and virological data and statistical variation in patient parameters for the evaluation of therapeutic strategies.
To determine which strategies minimize viral rebound detection delay while maintaining a low (prespecified) probability of switching therapy before rebound.
1997 Guidelines and the viral load policy create lengthy delays in detection of rebound, particularly when patients are drug-naive and the detection limit of the viral load assay is 500 copies/ml. A detection limit of 20 copies/ml decreases this delay substantially. Genotyping achieves only minor additional delay reductions. Of the strategies tested, the proactive policy leads to the shortest delays.
This model indicates that prolonged periods may be required for viral load to rebound to detectable levels following prolonged suppression. Proactive switching produces the best outcome in our model because it may reduce the duration of viral replication under pressure of a failing regimen before detection of viral rebound. This strategy should be evaluated in clinical trials.
With increased pressures from governmental and insurance agencies, today's physician devotes less time to patient care and more time to administration. To assist physician clinics in evaluating potential operating procedures that improve operating efficiencies and better satisfy patients, an object-oriented discrete-event simulation model has been constructed using the Visual Simulation Environment (VSE). The research presented herein describes a methodology for determining appropriate staffing and physical resources in a clinical environment using this simulation model. This methodology takes advantage of several simulation-based statistical techniques, including batch means: fractional factorial design: and simultaneous ranking, selection, and multiple comparisons. A clinic effectiveness measure is introduced that captures several objectives within a health care clinic, including profitability and patient satisfaction. An explanation of the experimental design is provided and results of the experimentation are presented. Based upon the experimental results, conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made for an appropriate staffing and facility size for a two physician family practice healthcare clinic.
The beds of an intensive care unit (ICU) are a scarce resource. Stochastic patient demands for these beds and stochastic service times in their utilization make managing that resource a complex problem lacking an easy solution. The current practice in one Hong Kong hospital is for the ICU administrator to exploit the fact that there are some patients whose admission to the unit can be postponed. These are patients scheduled for an elective surgery that can be cancelled. One way to minimize the number of cancelled surgeries is to reserve some of the unit's beds for the exclusive use of the elective‐surgery patients. We evaluate various bed‐reservation schemes via a simulation model that is based on this ICU's historical data, and demonstrate the tradeoffs that each requires among various relevant system‐performance measures. We further show how this information can be summarized in a classic efficient frontier. This frontier provides a useful medium through which the ICU administrator can communicate the rationale behind the chosen bed‐allocation system to the surgeons and the ICU physicians, in an attempt to resolve the potential conflicts between them.
Purpose - To place the research on radio frequency identification (RFID) usage in supply chains within a specific business and market context; in this case, the grocery industry. Design/methodology/approach - This paper considers RFID research within the context of the grocery industry and outlines the market drivers that affect the way the grocery industry approaches RFID and also specific areas of research on RFID that should be undertaken to better provide the grocery industry with managerial insights into this technology's application. Findings - Examining market drivers that are leading to RFID implementation in the grocery industry, this paper provides a theoretical framework for future applied research on RFID implementation. Specifically, it develops a research framework that includes research using modeling techniques, RFID implementation and the impact of RFID on daily operational issues. Research limitations/implications - This paper focuses on the market drivers for RFID implementation. While it does address other areas that are related to research in this field, it is limited in its ability to go into detailed discussion of those areas. For example, while technology implementation and innovation diffusion issues are raised, they are detailed research domains of their own which can only be superficially addressed in the context of this paper. Practical implications - The paper provides a detailed framework of research areas that are of direct, practical importance to the grocery industry. This should encourage research into this area, for, as researchers provide insights into these issues, the grocery industry can immediately put the findings into practice. Originality/value - RFID has garnered a great deal of research interest. However, that research has primarily focused on RFID's impact on general supply chain issues, failing to place the discussion within a specific business domain. This is necessary because the strategic environment of any business impacts on the applicability of any technology.
Healthcare facilities face limited resources and expanding expenses. Emerging information technologies offer a means for healthcare to measure and control their resources and workflow processes, and ultimately improve patient care. The usefulness of one emerging information technology, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), is examined in a "proof of application" study conducted at a Level-1 trauma unit. Results from the study suggest not only that RFID technology can assist in the measurement and ultimate control of workflow processes, but also that traditional and non-traditional IS practices are necessary for successful RFID implementation. Lessons learned about the idiosyncrasies of RFID implementation and the cleansing and analysis of RFID-generated data are reported.
Mainly deal with queueing models, but give the properties of many useful statistical distributions and algorithms for generating them.
Questionnaires have been sent to Operations Research Society of America (ORSA) members at five-year intervals over the past 15 years (1973, 1978, 1983, 1988). The most recent set of questionnaires (1988) indicates what operations research (OR) educators and practitioners believe are the quantitative techniques needed for a proper foundation in OR. The results show some change since the first questionnaire (1973). Three quantitative techniques stand out as consistently believed to be the most important: math programming, statistics, and simulation. Other techniques vary in relative importance. Practitioners indicate the use of a more diverse set of techniques than educators.
Three pairs of questionnaires were sent to Operations Research Society of America (ORSA) members at five-year intervals. According to the findings of the six questionnaires, operations research (OR) educators and practitioners see certain quantitative techniques as needed for a proper foundation in OR. Three stand out as consistently believed most important: statistics, linear programming, and simulation. Practitioners use and recommend a more diverse set of techniques than do educators.
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is the generic name for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify individual items that carry such identification tags. Unlike barcodes, which need line of sight sensors, RFID tags do not. As the cost of this new technology falls, the take-up rate by the retail industry will be significant, revolutionizing retailers’ control of the product supply chains and knowledge about the consumer. The paper argues that the opportunities and challenges for RFID tags for retailers are significant, and reports on a number of trials that have been conducted by retailers in the UK in the management and introduction of this technology. The paper also examines some of the issues facing retailers in terms of the widespread use of RFID tags and the privacy concerns that are linked to data capture and data usage by retailers and third parties.
When conducting an experimental study in healthcare systems, two problems are faced, those of uncertainty and complexity. Uncertainty is related to identifying variables for data collection (particularly if there are time and cost constraints on the modelling exercise). Complexity is related to the existence of many interacting variables (including treatment paths for patients, patient illnesses, side effects of treatments, etc.), each of a stochastic nature. This paper reports the usefulness of discrete event simulation modelling in exploring these issues. It focuses on the use of this form of simulation in supporting decision making in a randomised clinical trial (RCT). The objective of using simulation modelling is to help health economists identify the key factors active in the RCT through the development of a model of the healthcare related processes being studied by the RCT. This approach provides an opportunity to allow users to understand the role of these factors in the RCT. This research is carried out in the context of the Adjuvant Breast Cancer RCT.
Despite heavy investment in integrated information systems, many business problems still prevail due to a lack of integration between the real and virtual world. Low data granularity presently limits enterprise computing. In order to solve these problems, data granularity needs to be increased and the digital management control loop must to be closed. Pervasive Computing, including automatic identification, is the technological enabler. Once closed digital management control loops are in place and generating high data granularity, incremental process changes such as an automatic quality check, enhance the overall efficiency of controlling intensive processes. Object value logging and embedded services are examples of more radical changes, which not only affect processes, but also business models. However, although the pervasive technology-based development road map of future enterprise computing systems seems to be straightforward, various risks and challenges have the potential to strongly influence the technology adoption path.
Purpose
To place the research on radio frequency identification (RFID) usage in supply chains within a specific business and market context; in this case, the grocery industry.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper considers RFID research within the context of the grocery industry and outlines the market drivers that affect the way the grocery industry approaches RFID and also specific areas of research on RFID that should be undertaken to better provide the grocery industry with managerial insights into this technology's application.
Findings
Examining market drivers that are leading to RFID implementation in the grocery industry, this paper provides a theoretical framework for future applied research on RFID implementation. Specifically, it develops a research framework that includes research using modeling techniques, RFID implementation and the impact of RFID on daily operational issues.
Research limitations/implications
This paper focuses on the market drivers for RFID implementation. While it does address other areas that are related to research in this field, it is limited in its ability to go into detailed discussion of those areas. For example, while technology implementation and innovation diffusion issues are raised, they are detailed research domains of their own which can only be superficially addressed in the context of this paper.
Practical implications
The paper provides a detailed framework of research areas that are of direct, practical importance to the grocery industry. This should encourage research into this area, for, as researchers provide insights into these issues, the grocery industry can immediately put the findings into practice.
Originality/value
RFID has garnered a great deal of research interest. However, that research has primarily focused on RFID's impact on general supply chain issues, failing to place the discussion within a specific business domain. This is necessary because the strategic environment of any business impacts on the applicability of any technology.
Short shelf-life grocery goods present some of the biggest challenges for supply chain management due to a high number of product variants, strict traceability requirements, short shelf-life of the products, the need for temperature control in the supply chain, and the large volume of goods handled. A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based data capture system can help solve the problems associated with the logistics of short shelf life products. This article discusses the potential of utilising RFID technology for increasing efficiency in the supply chain of short shelf life products. The focus of this article is a RFID trial conducted at Sainsbury’s, which is discussed to study the potential benefits of RFID for short shelf-life products retailers. Further this article analyses the potential impact of RFID for other supply chain participants. We conclude that when applied with recyclable transport containers, RFID investments can provide quick amortisation of capital whilst offering a range of operational benefits.
In the field of inventory management, it is a well-known fact that centralisation, by sharing the risk between several entities, helps reduce the inventory required to provide a certain level of service. In practice, centralisation can be difficult to accomplish, because improvements to the system’s general performance may be achieved at the expense of some of the entities involved. This paper describes a simulation-based methodology used to study the impacts of equipment pooling on a group of local community service centres (CLSCs) in the Montreal (Canada) region. In addition to quantifying the benefits of the pooling process, the approach allowed the stakeholders to reach an agreement by appraising various pooling scenarios and identifying the conditions that would help ensure fairness.
We analyze the inventory decisions of a manufacturer who has ample production capacity and also uses returned products to satisfy customer demand. All returned items go through an evaluation process, at the end of which the decision of disposal, direct reselling, or rework is made for each unit according to a predetermined procedure. We quantify the value of information/visibility on the reverse channel for the manufacturer by making comparisons among three approaches: No information-naive; no visibility-enlightened; and full visibility. We find the value of visibility increases with the comparative length of the reverse channel and volume, volatility, and usability of returns. Furthermore, the smarter the manufacturer, the less benefit visibility brings to the system. By this analysis, we quantify the visibility savings of radio frequency identification (RFID) in the reverse channel as a candidate enabler technology. We also provide numerical examples to show that practical approximations in inventory management may have acceptable penalties to the manufacturer with visibility.
We reviewed the manuscripts focused on Supply Chain Management that had been published in Production and Operations Management (POM) over roughly 15 years (1992 to 2006). The manuscripts covered dealt with topics including supply chain design, uncertainty and the bullwhip effect, contracts and supply chain coordination, capacity and sourcing decisions, applications and practice, and teaching supply chain management. In the process of this review, we highlight the significant contribution of POM to the field of supply chain management, and illustrate how this body of work has served to further the mission of the journal. We then highlight works from this group along with the discussion of selected papers from other top journals in an effort to provide a reasonably complete overview of important issues addressed in recent supply chain management research. Using our research survey and conceptual overview of the area as a foundation, we offer comments which highlight opportunities and suggest ideas on how to usefully expand the body of work in the supply chain management area.
Most retailers suffer from substantial discrepancies between inventory quantities recorded in the system and stocks truly available to customers. Promising full inventory transparency, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has often been suggested as a remedy to the problem. We consider inventory record inaccuracy in a supply chain model, where a Stackelberg manufacturer sets the wholesale price and a retailer determines how much to stock for sale to customers. We first analyze the impact of inventory record inaccuracy on optimal stocking decisions and profits. By contrasting optimal decisions in a decentralized supply chain with those in an integrated supply chain, we find that inventory record inaccuracy exacerbates the inefficiencies resulting from double marginalization in decentralized supply chains. Assuming RFID technology can eliminate the problem of inventory record inaccuracy, we determine the cost thresholds at which RFID adoption becomes profitable. We show that a decentralized supply chain benefits more from RFID technology, such that RFID adoption improves supply chain coordination.
Mostly fueled by mandates, adoption, and implementation of the RFID, technology in the retail industry is growing rapidly. At these early stages of adoption, one puzzling issue for retailers and suppliers is the compelling business case for RFID. In order to explore the potential business case for RFID, we conducted a case study using actual RFID data collected by a major retailer for the cases shipped by one of its major suppliers. We show the physical layout of the RFID readers on a partial supply-chain covering product movement from distribution centers to retail stores. First, in the analysis phase, we identify several performance metrics that can be computed from the RFID readings. Next, using this RFID data, we compute the values of those performance metrics. These values represent mean time between movements at different locations. Then, we discuss how these measures can assist in improving logistical performance at a micro supply chain level of operations between a distribution center and a retail store. We present how such information can be valuable to both the retail store operator and the supplier. We also discuss the initial lessons learned from actual RFID data collected in the field, in terms of data quality issues.
We use a simulation model called ‘SISCO’ to examine the effects in supply chains of stochastic lead times and of information sharing and quality of that information in a periodic order-up-to level inventory system. We test the accuracy of the simulation by verifying the results in Chen et al. (2000a) and Dejonckheere et al. (2004). We find that lead-time variability exacerbates variance amplification in a supply chain, and that information sharing and information quality are highly significant. For example, using the assumptions in Chen et al. (2000a) and Dejonckheere et al. (2004), we find in a numerical experiment of a customer-retailer-wholesaler-distributor-factory supply chain that variance amplification is attenuated by nearly 50 percent at the factory due to information sharing. Other assumptions we make are based on interviews or conversations with managers at large supply chains.
A large midwestern hospital is expecting an increase in surgical caseload. New operating room (OR) capacity can be had by building new ORs or extending the working hours in the current ORs. The choice among these options is complicated by the fact that patients, surgeons and surgical staff, and hospital administrators are all important stakeholders in the health service operation, and each has different priorities. This paper investigates the trade-offs among three performance criteria (wait to get on schedule, scheduled procedure start-time reliability, and hospital profits), which are of particular importance to the different constituencies. The objective is to determine how the hospital can best expand its capacity, acknowledging the key role that each constituency plays in that objective. En route, the paper presents supporting analysis for process improvements and suggestions for optimal participation-inducing staff contracts for extending OR hours of operation.
Motivatedby the exceptionally high mortality statistics of dialysis patients and the ongoing debate about the adequacy of the current reimbursement for dialysis in the United States, we pursue a detailed analysis of the dialysis delivery system. The analysis is based on a multiclass fluid model for the dialysis facility, which combines a pharmacokinetics model of dialysis and an empirically validated model of dialysis-specific mortality. Assuming that the facility operates under budget and capacity constraints, our analysis determines the main factors that affect the delivery of dialysis. Numerical results, which are representative of the dialysis environment in the US, demonstrate the accuracy of the model and provide concrete insights about the operations of the dialysis facility. A major finding is that an improvement in the technology of dialysis is likely to have a more substantial impact on the overall life expectancy of the dialysis population as compared to an increase in the dialysis reimbursement rate.
Health policy models provide measures of the effectiveness and costs of complex health care interventions making it possible to compare different policies. We look at the validity of models of screening, prevention and treatment, focusing on two simulation studies. In designing models, account must be taken of disease trends and changing treatment patterns. The choice of modelling technique and of system boundaries are shown to have an impact on results. Decisions have to be made about data which may be scarce or inappropriate for modelling purposes. Cost-effectiveness measures are based on the ratio of costs to benefits, such as life years saved or quality adjusted life years. These are sensitive to the time period and the discount rates chosen. Policy makers should be aware of these different sources of variability or error. For decision making purposes, the calculation of output measures must be based on the same assumptions.
Patient flow models may be used for planning health services for both acute and chronic patients. There are models which assume sub-groups of patients are homogenous and events occur at equally spaced intervals of time. These include Markov and semi-Markov chain models, queueing models and deterministic models of the transition of patients between states. These techniques are useful for examining patient flow in large population groups where Markov assumptions, or simple extensions of these, can be made. Discrete event simulation models allow patients to have individual attributes and to interact with resource provision but they are more time consuming to test and run. They are particularly suitable for models of systems of patient care where the constraints on resource availability are important. They may also be used on unconstrained population models with several thousands of patients. A significant development in simulation is the facility to model entities so that they can participate in more than one activity simultaneously and interrupt each other. The credibility of any model is dependent on reliable data which are not always readily available in the British Health Service.
Operational Research models are well established as an effective tool for tackling a vast range of health care problems. Many of these models involve parameters which depend on human behaviour, and thus individuals’ characteristics or personality traits should be included. In this paper we describe a discrete event simulation model of attendance for screening for diabetic retinopathy, a sight-threatening complication of diabetes. This model takes into account the physical states, emotions, cognitions and social status of the persons involved. The model also uses some ideas from the discipline of health psychology. We believe that this approach provides what is potentially a far more accurate method of modelling patients’ attendance behaviour, compared with the standard approach of simple random sampling of patients. However, further empirical work is required, firstly to derive and validate more realistic forms of the model equations, secondly to select the appropriate psychological variables, and thirdly and inevitably to collect data.
For many medical procedures, patients face substantial risk of complication or death when treatment is delayed. When a queue is formed in such a situation, it is imperative to assess the suffering and risk faced by patients in queue and plan adequate medical capabilities in advance to address the concerns. We develop in this paper a patient queue model that considers the condition and its changes over time for a patient in a queue. The risk faced by a patient is characterized under this model as a function of the arrival rate, the service capacity and the hazard rate of the disease. This characterization provides an approach to the planning and management of medical services based on the risk faced by patients. When the condition of patients is heterogeneous, a priority patient queue model is developed to minimize the overall risk for all patients. The operational characteristics of the priority queue, particularly the risk faced by different groups of patients, are derived. Managerial issues induced by prioritization are also addressed. In general, patients of heterogeneous condition should be prioritized in as many urgency classes as possible to maximize survival.
In this paper we address an important design and management problem in a health care centre where a set of services, required by one or more categories of users in different but predetermined sequences, are provided. Various types of servers and facilities are assigned to the different services and are subject to budget restrictions. The number of servers of each type assigned to each service affects the overall efficiency of the system and its indicators, such as the total time spent in the system by the various categories of users. We present a methodology that interactively uses system simulation, estimation of target function and optimisation to calculate and validate the optimal configuration of servers. Such a methodology constitutes the core of an effective decision support system for health care managers. In this paper we describe an application of the proposed methodology and show its effectiveness in improving the management of a transfusion centre.
Modelling in different forms has long been regarded as a cornerstone of health OR as in other fields of application. Models are now tending to become a standard tool in health services management and research. What are the lessons we as operational researchers have learnt during this development? How can health care managers and health service researchers benefit from modelling — with or without OR-analysts to guide them between the pitfalls? After an introductory overview concerning the nature and objectives of modelling, examples will be given of modelling applications from different health service areas in order to illustrate the versatility of the method. Further, the choice of methods and models is discussed with special attention to the problems of interpretation and implementation of results. From this overview some conclusions are drawn with regards to advantages and disadvantages of modelling as tools for policy planning and decision-making in the health area. Finally some observations are made concercing the conditions for the future development in the field.
One of the important issues discussed in World Healthcare Organization (WHO), Europe and America is patient safety. Reducing medical errors is the primary goal to enhance patient safety. The bottleneck of the reduction is that the Hospital Information Systems (HIS) can not track the information about the patient's name, operational time and location immediately and correctly. Under such a situation, it is difficult to integrate the object flow and information flow so as to make systems analysis, decision support, and so on. After reviewing the literature and interviewing with experts, we find the most significant factor that results medical errors and serious hurt is the provision of medicine in inpatient healthcare. We fulfill the system analysis and design for the pharmaceutics operations in inpatient nursing. This system associated with RFID tags can automatically identify the patient identify, compare the drugs he takes and then synchronize the registration in the Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR). With this system, the mismatch, over-dosage, or drug--errors can be alerted and then eliminated. In addition, with the RFID tag, the modified flow of the standard of operation (SOP) to keep the drug safety can be more reliable.
Simulation is often said to be more of an art than a science. One area where this is clearly illustrated is in determining the data requirements for a simulation project. Data and related concerns are all issues for which there are few standards or clear-cut rules. Although a great deal of literature is available on the analysis of input and output data (e.g., to determine the underlying statistical distributions, designed experiments, etc.), few practical guidelines and standards exist in the area of data requirements for conducting computer simulation studies. Despite the subjectivity in the area of data requirements for simulation models, some relevant issues and modelling approaches are discussed in this document that may be of assistance in determining the information needed for simulation of manufacturing systems. The approach adopted in this work is based on the mapping of the objectives of simulation studies in manufacturing settings over their process lifecycle.
Special Purpose Simulation (SPS) is a proven principle that can lead to the effective transfer of simulation knowledge to the construction industry. Three separate industry experiments have led to the identification of a set of requirements that construction ...
This paper addresses the problem of designing robust emergency medical services. Under this respect, the main issue to consider is the inherent uncertainty which characterizes real life situations. Several approaches can be used to design robust mathematical models which are able to hedge uncertain conditions. We are using here the stochastic programming framework and, in particular, the probabilistic paradigm. More specifically, we develop a stochastic programming model with probabilistic constraints aimed to solve both the location and the dimensioning problems, i.e. where service sites must be located and how many emergency vehicles must be assigned to each site, in order to achieve a reliable level of service and minimize the overall costs. In doing so, we consider the randomness of the system as far as the demand of emergency service is concerned. The numerical results, which have been collected on a large set of test problems, demonstrate the validity of the proposed model, particularly in dealing with the trade-off between quality of service and costs management.
DOI: 10.5555/ijop.2007.16.5.554 This paper presents a case study of the research and development of an RFID-based traceability system in an aircraft engineering company in Hong Kong. We report the system design and implementation, and discuss our experiences and lessons learned. The aim of the RFID system is to effectively support the tracking and tracing of aeroplane repairable items in the company. The study reveals eight critical success factors for the successful implementation of RFID systems, namely, create strong internal and external motivation for improvement, stir up desire to keep abreast of the latest technology for global competitiveness, strive for cross organizational implementation, avoid major process changes/limit process changes, start with a small RFID project scope, facilitate equipment vendor's investment, use cost-effectiveness reusable tags, and transfer RFID skills and knowledge from university to industry. We also summarize 13 lessons learned, including three lessons concerning RFID implementation at strategic level, six lessons at management level, and four lessons at operational level resulting from carrying out this project. Given the contextual details of the study, the lessons learned can help other firms to better anticipate the hurdles they will experience, and make them aware of the possible ways to cope with such difficulties before embarking on the journey of RFID implementation. Author name used in this publication: E. W. T. Ngai Author name used in this publication: T. C. E. Cheng Author name used in this publication: Kee-hung Lai
In 1998, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a report on medical errors, which estimated that up to 98,000 people die in U.S. hospitals each year from errors. This report raised concerns that medical errors have become a national public health problem that should be addressed in the same manner as other epidemics such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. In 2001, the IOM released a follow-up report encompassing a broader range of quality issues. They concluded that the U.S. healthcare system is outmoded and incapable of providing consistent, high-quality care. They outlined a strategy for redesigning U.S. healthcare delivery to achieve safe, dependable, high-quality care, which emphasizes information technology as an integral part of the solution. AHRQ’s fiscal year 2001 appropriation included $50 million dollars for initiatives to reduce medical errors and improve patient safety. AHRQ responded to this mandate by developing a series of research solicitations that form an integrated set of activities to design and test best practices for reducing errors in multiple health care settings. This paper discusses the components of this program and the central role of medical informatics research in the Agency’s efforts to improve the safety of medical care in America.
Client flow analysis (CFA) is a practical technique to help address one of the most frequently cited causes of patient disquiet
with quality of health services—waiting times. It allows clinic managers and workers to look at the way that clients and patients
move through the clinic. It gives information on waiting times, time spent in contact with different service providers, bottleneck
areas in services and staff utilization patterns. It is a technique which is simple, quickly performed, cost effective, easy
to learn and easily transferrable. This paper gives two illustrative examples of sites where CFA has been initiated in Africa—a
free-standing family planning clinic and a provincial hospital outpatient clinic. Waiting times were reduced by over one-half
and by one-third, respectively. By reducing waiting times for clients and patients and addressing some of the problems of
staff time allocation, the quality of clinic operations can be improved for both providers and clients.
To compare three different strategies for determining admission dates for patients awaiting cataract extraction after scoring for visual impairment.
357 patients attending for assessment for cataract surgery were scored for visual impairment. These scores were used as a basis for ranking patients into three impairment strata. A computer simulation was used to compare 3 years' operation of different admission strategies-a first come first served booking system, a triage booking system, and a waiting list system in which admissions were strictly ordered according to priority stratum. Differences in priority weighted delays before treatment were analysed.
Both the triage system and the priority based waiting list system gave considerable reduction in priority weighted delay compared with a first come first served admission policy. The percentage reduction achieved (30%-60%) is strongly influenced by the number of weeks fully booked when the booking systems are introduced. The priority weighted delay of the triage system, where booking decisions were made at the time of the outpatient assessment, was consistently and substantially outperformed by the priority based waiting list system where the decision to allocate an admission date was delayed as long as possible.
There is considerable scope for reducing delays to high priority patients if simple rules are used to determine admission dates. Using these rules, booking patients at the time of the outpatient assessment gives substantially less benefit in terms of reducing delays to high priority patients than if the decision about the admission date is deferred.