Computer simulation of an Accident and Emergency department

As a result of the National Health Service (NHS) reforms, the publication of the Patient’s Charter and Performance League Tables, providers are under persistent pressure to improve their efficiency. This article describes a recent simulation study of an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department in a large NHS Trust. A data collection survey is described which was essential for identifying patient flows and activity times in the A&E department. The paper then discusses in more detail how to model patient arrivals which proved to be the most difficult part of the simulation. Some light is also shed on the attempt it made to develop a valid and credible model. Finally, the preliminary findings are presented.