Improving workflow control in radiotherapy using discrete-event simulation.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:In radiotherapy, minimizing the time between referral and start of treatment (waiting time) is important to possibly mitigate tumor growth and avoid psychological distress in cancer patients. Radiotherapy pre-treatment workflow is driven by the scheduling of the first irradiation session, which is usually set right after consultation (pull strategy) or can alternatively be set after the pre-treatment workflow has been completed (push strategy). The objective of this study is to assess the impact of using pull and push strategies and explore alternative interventions for improving timeliness in radiotherapy. METHODS:Discrete-event simulation is used to model the patient flow of a large radiotherapy department of a Dutch hospital. A staff survey, interviews with managers, and hist

SUBMITTER: Vieira B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6814107 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature