Simulating a Computer System for Processing Electrocardiograms

A simulation model design is presented to study the performance characteristics of a computer system for processing electrocardiogram (ECG). Following a description of the overall system, the historical arrival data are analyzed, and the use of nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) is proposed to approximate the time dependency of calls for ECG analysis emanating from the various sources. The results obtained from a general-purpose simulation system (GPSS) simulator are evaluated to ascertain the system capabilite and to compare alternative system designs. In contrast to most simulation studies of health care systems, the issue concerning nonstationarity of input and output is treated directly and in detail.