Quantitative Modelling for Wait Time Reduction

This book describes the use of operational research techniques to analyze the wait list for the division of general surgery at the Capital District Health Authority (CDHA) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. A comprehensive simulation model was developed to facilitate capacity planning decisions and to analyze the performance of the division. At the time of the study the wait list for elective general surgery patients was observed to be growing by approximately 13.2 days per year with no concrete plan to address it. The analysis examined the consequences of redistributing beds between sites, assigning operating room time by surgeon demand, and achieving standard patient lengths of stay, while contrasting them to current and additional resource options. From the results, multiple independent and combined options for stabilizing and decreasing waits for elective procedures were proposed.