Abstract

VELASQUEZ-RESTREPO, Paula Andrea; RODRIGUEZ-QUINTERO, Alma Karina  and  JAEN-POSADA, Juan Sebastián. Quantitative methodology for emergency service optimization: a review of past literature. Rev. Gerenc. Polit. Salud [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.21, pp.196-218. ISSN 1657-7027.

This paper presents a literature review that lists the most common problems encountered in emergency departments and operations research methodologies most applied for study and solution. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods and results are shown. We found that the main issues addressed by researchers are: inefficiency in the flow of patients, assess service capacity vs. demand and long waiting times of patients for treatment. It is mainly used discrete event simulation and mathematical programming. None of the references evaluated considering changing the current system outline and explore demand reduction.

Keywords : emergency system; quantitative methods in health; optimization; simulation; decision models; literature reviewing; Emergencies - Methods; Emergency medical services - Methods; Emergency Medicine - Methods; Quantitative research - Methods.

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