An Healthcare Process Reengineering Using Discrete Event Simulation

focused to improve the efficiency of healthcare internal processes. The case of the sterilization process of surgical tools, topic of this paper, is an emblematic example of the authors' approach to such kind of problems. At first, using two Discrete Event Simulation models, a clear picture of process inefficiencies was defined. Then, a costs optimization was achieved by means of a process reengineering. At the end, supposing to share the considered sterilization plant with other healthcare partners, a new strategy to manage the plant was evaluated. The resulting cost reduction is estimated around a million Euros/year.

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