Affiliations: [a] Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA | [b] School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | [c] George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Sung J. Shim, Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, USA. E-mail:shimsung@shu.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Some healthcare managers use computer simulation to
assist with staffing. As staffing actions are usually slow to evolve and
long term in nature, computer simulation can provide the opportunity to
evaluate different alternatives at substantially lower costs with fewer
risks. OBJECTIVE: Using computer simulation, this paper seeks to determine
the optimal number and allocation of clerks involved in the patient
registration process of a hospital. METHODS: This paper is based on a case study conducted in a
hospital and uses historical data provided by the hospital in simulating the
patient registration process. RESULTS: The simulation results indicate that computer simulation
can be an effective decision supporting tool in modeling the patient
registration process and evaluating the effects of changes in the number and
allocation of clerks in the process. CONCLUSIONS: Based upon a case study applying real-world data, the
results of this paper would be beneficial to those who consider utilizing
computer simulation for staffing decisions.
