Development and validation of a large scale ICU simulation model with blocking

Abstract

Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are specialized healthcare delivery units for patients that require the highest level of monitored care. ICUs are typically integrated into larger healthcare facilities and their operation is dependent on the operational status of other inpatient units and departments of the host facility. As patients transition between units, a lack of available beds in a requested unit may cause patients to stay in a level of care other than that which is clinically indicated, leading to unnecessary or unwarranted costs without improving medical outcomes. The simulation modeling work presented in this paper is part of a multidisciplinary research project aimed towards patient delays. We describe the design and validation of a large scale ICU simulation model that includes various inpatient units and departments of the hospital. We describe the (i) input data analysis, (ii) modeling of patient flow, and (iii) validation of the simulation model.