Using simulation to design a central sterilization department. Academic Article

abstract

• A simulation project was performed to assist with redesign of the surgery department of a large tertiary hospital and to help administrators make the best decisions about relocating, staffing, and equipping the central sterilization department. A simulation model was created to analyze department configurations, staff schedules, equipment capacities, and cart-washing requirements. Performance measures examined include tray turnaround time, surgery-delay rate, and work-in-process levels. The analysis provides significant insight into how the proposed system will perform, allowing planning for expected patient volume increases. This work illustrates how simulation can facilitate the design of a central sterilization department and improve surgical sterilization operations.

authors

• Lawley, Mark

published proceedings

• AORN J

author list (cited authors)

• Lin, F., Lawley, M., Spry, C., McCarthy, K., Coyle-Rogers, P. G., & Yih, Y.

citation count

• 9

complete list of authors

• Lin, Feng||Lawley, Mark||Spry, Charlie||McCarthy, Kelly||Coyle-Rogers, Patricia G||Yih, Yuehwern

publication date

• October 2008

publisher

• Wiley  Publisher

published in

• AORN Journal  Journal

keywords

• Benchmarking
• Central Supply, Hospital
• Clinical Nursing Research
• Computer Simulation
• Efficiency, Organizational
• Ergonomics
• Factor Analysis, Statistical
• Hospital Design And Construction
• Humans
• Indiana
• Interior Design And Furnishings
• Needs Assessment
• Operating Room Nursing
• Operating Rooms
• Personnel Staffing And Scheduling
• Sterilization
• Time And Motion Studies
• Total Quality Management

PubMed Central ID

• 18928959

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1016/j.aorn.2008.03.015

start page

• 555

end page

• 567

volume

• 88

issue

• 4

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2008.03.015