Simulation vs. Spreadsheets

One of the key problems that face many healthcare providers is identifying the true value of a proposed solution and how it affects the rest of the operation.  Only proper planning can prevent a disaster and create a scenario that spells success in the long run.

Spreadsheets
While spreadsheets can perform many calculations to help determine the operational status of simple systems, they do not accurately reflect the randomness, variation and interdependence present in reality with resources and other system elements. 

Spreadsheets do not take into account the variation of time, except for fixed time periods – days, months or years.  They also do not take into account the variability of the parameters.

Simulation
Simulation, however, does take into account the randomness, variation and interdependence, which characterize the behavior of your real-life healthcare environment.  Simulation is an ideal tool for analyzing hospital processes because hospitals can exhibit very complex dynamic behavior.  The accuracy of simulated models is upward of 95% of real world scenario, which renders simulation technology a key step to avoid unforeseen problems. 

Improving processes
Improving a process flow starts by creating a replica of the existing process.  FDI creates a simulation model and validates it to prove that its behavior and results are comparable to existing data.  With the model built, FDI can provide “what if” scenarios to show what not only is expensive and efficient, but what interrupts the process flow and reduces the revenue stream for the client.

Links:

• Healthcare Simulation Demos