Applying Queuing Theory to Health CareIn an era of healthcare reform, improving quality and safety, and decreasing healthcare cost have become even more important goals than before. Scientific management of patient flow is at the heart of our ability to achieve these goals. While on one hand we are faced with overcrowded facilities, on the other hand, the industry’s financial conditions do not allow us to add resources liberally. One key challenge is our ability to match random patient demand to fixed capacity. Queuing theory is a methodology that addresses this very challenge. Queuing theory was first used in telecommunications and then was adopted by all major industries, like airlines, the Internet and most service-delivery organizations. In the health care industry, however, queuing theory has not been utilized until recently. When used appropriately, the results are often dramatic: saving time, increasing revenue, and increasing staff and patient satisfaction. IHO is pleased to announce a two-day seminar, Applying Queuing Theory to Health Care: A Necessary Step Toward Improving Quality of Care and Margin taught by Dr. Eugene Litvak and other faculty. Several different queuing theory models will be introduced and accompanied by extensive exercises. Different healthcare problems require different queuing models. The key is to know specifically which model to apply in what healthcare setting. At the end of this seminar, you will be able to solve the following types of problems at your organization:
There is absolutely no way to answer any of the above questions without queuing theory. Everything else would be guessing. Who Should Attend The problems that this seminar aims to tackle affect everyone from frontline caregivers all the way to senior decision makers in a healthcare organization because of the substantial organizational performance, quality and financial implications. While everyday queuing analyses may be performed by a few select individuals, it is important for senior leaders to have an understanding of potential solutions. Therefore representation from senior leadership and clinicians in addition to personnel responsible for data analysis would enhance your benefit from this seminar. Senior Management
Department and Division Clinical and Operational Managers
Performance Improvement / Decision Support
Application of Queuing theory is most beneficial in the following areas:
When: May 17-18, 2012 Where: Boston, MA Please contact us if you are interested in upcoming Queuing Seminars |