Mathematical optimization in healthcare is often directed to staff scheduling, and while ensuring that the right amount of nurses are in the right place at the right time is essential, it can do much more. Optimizer tools like IBM CPLEX can revolutionize the healthcare industry in ways you didn’t think of before.
This article explores unexpected ways that mathematical optimization can impact your healthcare operation.
Mathematical Optimization in Emergency Room Efficiency
It is no news that emergency rooms can significantly benefit from optimization. With some Emergency Rooms having as long as 4.18 hours wait time, there is an immediate need for improvement/change. A busy ER where every second counts can significantly benefit from Mathematical Optimization using tools like IBM CPLEX. Mathematical optimization can help you analyze current data, resources, and see potential challenges that may arise. Factors to analyze can include:
- Patient arrival times
- Severity of condition
- Staff and Room availability
When Mathematical Optimization analyzes the data mentioned above, it can help you optimize patient flow and ensure that the most critical cases are prioritized, as well as that the resources go to the right places at the right time. Mathematical Optimization can become the ideal solution to overcome emergency room backlogs.
Mathematical Optimization in Fleet Deployment
Having an efficient route for ambulances is critical. Mathematical optimization can allow you to optimize ambulance deployment to minimize the response time, especially in rural areas or when large, city-wide events occur.
Non-emergency transportation can also benefit from this too. When you use tools like CPLEX to take advantage of mathematical optimization in fleet deployment, you can efficiently schedule and route vehicles to transport patients to and from appointments, reducing wait times and improving patient satisfaction.
Mathematical Optimization in Hospital Design
An unexpected way to include mathematical optimization in your healthcare organization can start right before construction begins. If you want to design a new hospital or unit, mathematical optimization can help optimize the placement of departments and waiting areas to improve efficiency and shorten walking distances, which can help ensure a smoother workflow.
With the amount of data and information your organization has, you can make the best possible choices in how to build the most efficient building based on factors you have already encountered and researched. The healthcare industry can empower new healthcare professionals and future health clinics from the start by building an efficient facility that allows for more time with the patient and the appropriate resource allocation.
Conclusion
Organizations constantly look for ways to improve customer service and experience. In the healthcare industry, improvement can influence how quickly a patient can be seen and how a building can be more efficient in improving patient care and reducing the risk of burnout among the medical staff.
Although optimizers are not an end-all solution, they can suggest a series of solutions in the various aspects of a facility, allowing the organization to grow and elevate the overall experience. Proper resource allocation also allows for budget savings and finding missing links within the organization to ensure a better patient and staff experience.
Are you ready to explore your options with mathematical optimization? Contact us, or schedule a free consultation with our expert PhDs to get started.