Health systems engineering as an improvement strategy: a case example using location-allocation modeling

J Healthc Qual. 2013 May-Jun;35(3):35-40. doi: 10.1111/j.1945-1474.2011.00187.x. Epub 2011 Dec 22.

Abstract

Finding the optimal geographic location for a medical service is a common challenge for healthcare organizations. However, there is limited use or description of methods to determine the optimal location of a medical service. We describe a case study of how location-allocation techniques used by industrial engineers assisted a regional healthcare network develop a plan for optimal location of sleep medicine services within its network.

MeSH terms

  • Health Facility Planning / methods
  • Health Facility Planning / organization & administration*
  • Health Facility Planning / standards
  • Health Services Accessibility / organization & administration*
  • Health Services Accessibility / standards
  • Humans
  • Models, Organizational
  • Organizational Case Studies
  • Professional Practice Location
  • Sleep Medicine Specialty / organization & administration*
  • Systems Integration
  • United States
  • Veterans Health
  • Workforce