Rutgers researchers enhance oncology clinic efficiency with simulation
Rutgers Cancer Institute and Rutgers Business School collaborated to develop a computer simulation that identified process improvements, significantly reducing blood cancer care times and increasing patient capacity.
A team from Rutgers Cancer Institute and Rutgers Business School have worked together to shorten care times for patients with blood cancer. Their strategy could apply to several other medical oncology offices, according to an article by Andrew Smith.
The researchers first constructed a “working computer simulation of the institute’s blood cancer clinic” to detect opportunities for process improvement. The model was created using patient data and the researchers’ observations from the clinic, including how long care took for each patient. Additionally, the model allowed the researchers to test process improvements before implementing them at the clinic.
Key improvements:
Turnaround time for blood work was cut by more than one hour by adding an on-site laboratory.
Cancer treatment and supportive care were separated.
Appointment schedules were balanced.
The clinic is now able to treat about 30 more patients per day.
