Abstract
BackgroundThis paper presents a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model for designing the layout of the Intensive Care Units' (ICUs) patient care space. In particular, this MIP model was developed for optimizing the layout for materials to be used in interventions. This work was developed within the framework of a joint project between the Madrid Technical Unverstity and the Medical Emergency Services of the Madrid Regional Government (SUMMA 112).MethodsThe first task was to identify the relevant information to define the characteristics of the new vehicles and, in particular, to obtain a satisfactory interior layout to locate all the necessary materials. This information was gathered from health workers related to ICUs. With that information an optimization model was developed in order to obtain a solution. From the MIP model, a first solution was obtained, consisting of a grid to locate the different materials needed for the ICUs. The outcome from the MIP model was discussed with health workers to tune the solution, and after slightly altering that solution to meet some requirements that had not been included in the mathematical model, the eventual solution was approved by the persons responsible for specifying the characteristics of the new vehicles. According to the opinion stated by the SUMMA 112's medical group responsible for improving the ambulances (the so-called "coaching group"), the outcome was highly satisfactory. Indeed, the final design served as a basis to draw up the requirements of a public tender.ResultsAs a result from solving the Optimization model, a grid was obtained to locate the different necessary materials for the ICUs. This grid had to be slightly altered to meet some requirements that had not been included in the mathematical model. The results were discussed with the persons responsible for specifying the characteristics of the new vehicles.ConclusionThe outcome was highly satisfactory. Indeed, the final design served as a basis to draw up the requirements of a public tender. The authors advocate this approach to address similar problems within the field of Health Services to improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of the processes involved. Problems such as those in operation rooms or emergency rooms, where the availability of a large amount of material is critical are eligible to be dealt with in a simmilar manner.
Highlights
This paper presents a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model for designing the layout of the Intensive Care Units' (ICUs) patient care space
This paper presents the main results of a project that was intended to improve the design of the interior patient care space of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of the Medical Emergency Services in the Madrid Region (SUMMA 112)
This is the case of the National Academy of Engineering (1970) which addressed the issues related to designing ambulance interiors in terms of ergonomic factors [1]
Summary
This paper presents a Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model for designing the layout of the Intensive Care Units' (ICUs) patient care space This MIP model was developed for optimizing the layout for materials to be used in interventions. This paper presents the main results of a project that was intended to improve the design of the interior patient care space of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of the Medical Emergency Services in the Madrid Region (SUMMA 112). ICUs are vehicles which provide advanced life support for health emergencies This project was conducted by the Madrid Technical University (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, hereafter UPM). Research has been concerned with this sort of problems This is the case of the National Academy of Engineering (1970) which addressed the issues related to designing ambulance interiors in terms of ergonomic factors [1]. What we present in this paper shares the focus of these studies on ambulance design, and more it addresses the problem of locating materials in the ambulance interior to facilitate heath workers' tasks and, improve both the efficiency and the effectiveness of their interventions
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