Simulating the stroke patient transfer logistics from the stroke unit to the rehabilitation center of a large university hospital

This paper investigates the stroke patient care pathway transfer logistics between a University hospital’s stroke unit and rehabilitation center. The study evaluates the logistical bottlenecks that hinder the patient transfer process. Often, the bottlenecks arise from unavailability of beds space at the rehabilitation center referred to as bed-blocking problem. In order to gain insights to the bed-blocking problem, a simulation model mimicking the patient transfer process is developed in Arena - discrete event simulation (DES) software. The model is validated using real-life data and sensitivity analysis performed to evaluate the effect of input parameters on the patient’s length of stay (LOS). Moreover, several scenarios are implemented with a view of evaluating potential improvement actions. The experimental scenarios highlight bed capacity constraints, sub-optimal resource utilization and transfer times. Several recommendations are proposed which include re-distributing patient transfer times throughout the week and implementing shared ward at the rehabilitation center. The study highlights the importance of DES as a tool for simulating stroke patient care pathway, and as a consequence, improving healthcare quality extended to stroke patients.no isbnstatus: publishe