Modelling a Blood Distribution Network in the Prairies with a Generic Simulation Framework

Abstract

As part of its infrastructure renewal, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) will consolidate production and support functions for hospitals in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Existing production and distribution facilities in Calgary, Edmonton, and Regina will be combined into a single production facility to be located in Calgary. Stakeholders, however, have questioned whether there is a need for a stock holding unit (SHU) to be located in Saskatoon. In this paper we provide the details of a simulation study to evaluate the network performance expected under the consolidated plan. A simulation model was developed from a generic framework. Once validated, the model was used to conduct a series of experiments in which RBC availability and outdates were measured with and without a SHU in Saskatoon. Results suggest that product wastage will increase with a SHU, along with a small increase in product availability. However, any increase in product availability is unlikely to be practically significant if 1.4 or fewer road closures are experienced per year.