Patient flow simulation as a tool for estimating policy impact

Summary Patient safety in operative and postoperative structures is closely linked to adequate resource allocation and patient flow organisation. New policies concerning working hours or resource allocation are designed to improve patient safety. However, it is necessary to measure their impact before taking action. In this paper we describe a simulation tool which makes it possible to measure the impact of various organisational policies in a hospital operating theatre and postoperative structures. We illustrate its use by an example assessing the impact of a new training policy for operating room personnel upon recovery room utilisation and the attendant staffing requirements at the Geneva University Hospitals.