Assessing the impact of patient care policies using simulation analysis.

Simulation models are ideal for assessing the performance of strategic, tactical, and operational policies for hospitals. Simulation can validate a proposed policy, uncover fallacies of a proposal, or determine the sensitivity of the response to a policy change. A simulation model was developed to analyze the complex interactions comprising patient placement processes, beginning with patient arrivals and continuing through discharge. The model reflects current and potential patient assignment policies at a major southeastern general hospital. The system developed was utilized to assess proposed policies for the hospital. The simulated results of the hospital policy proposals, as well as other proposals, demonstrate the usefulness of simulation analysis in hospital policy decision-making.