Understanding the impact of whiteboard on A&E department operations using hybrid simulation

This paper uses hybrid simulation to evaluate the impact of a whiteboard on the workflow of an A&E department. Hybrid simulation in this context is defined as the integrated use of discrete event simulation and system dynamics; we illustrate how discrete event simulation and system dynamics, by themselves, are incapable of meeting the objective. “Parsimonious” and “divide and conquer” principles for model-building have been followed. We also highlight how a slight modification to the “divide and conquer” approach can assist multimethod users. This paper has deployed novel approach of hybrid simulation in the context of healthcare. It attempts to link value proposition of information system( whiteboard/ electronic patient tracking system) to workflow of A&E department. Due to technical limitation with respect to automatic exchange of information between system dynamics and discrete event simulation, potential of hybrid simulation could not be deployed to maximum level.