Workflow-based Adaptive Layout Design to Improve the Patient Flow in the Outpatient Clinics

Abstract

The performance of outpatient clinics is measured through waiting times and resource utilization and the reasons for low performance is often viewed as operations issues: planning, scheduling and coordination between resources and patients. In this study, we show that layout design also contributes towards operations management. Here we propose workflow-based layout design that obtains optimal layout design by incorporating patient workflow and its related flow/precedence constraints so that performance parameters are improved. For this, we modify the Ant agent algorithm. Performance parameters of the existing and optimal layout are compared. Ant agent algorithm provides the best solution that minimizes the waiting time and cycle time. Layout design or redesign that is based on workflow and precedence constraints improves the patient flow in the outpatient clinics.