Method for optimization of the resources of a medical facility and associated optimization system

• US 20060206298A1
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Kuchler, Andreas, Reiter, Eva-Maria, Wollstein, Karola
• Application Number:
  US11/342,478
• Publication Number:
  US 20060206298A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 703/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce

Abstract

A method and associated optimization system make simple and fast determination of possibilities to optimize a number of medical facility resources comprising machine and personnel components regarding their efficiency. Here, a simulation model is provided numerically representing facility components, within which simulation model a number of component-specific distinguishing parameters are associated with each component and that moreover comprises a number of superordinate distinguishing parameters. An initialization parameter set is created via association of an initial value with each distinguishing parameter. An objective function of the distinguishing parameters is determined and at least one distinguishing parameter selected from the superordinate distinguishing parameters is defined as variable. The/every variable distinguishing parameter is varied according to a predetermined optimization algorithm with regard to a mathematical optimization of an objective function. An optimized resource configuration is recommended using an optimized parameter set in which the objective function corresponds to a predetermined optimization rule.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing resources of a medical facility, wherein the resources comprise a number of machine components and personnel components, comprising:

forming a simulation model numerically representing the components of the facility;

associating, in the simulation model, a number of component-specific distinguishing parameters with each component, wherein the component-specific distinguishing parameters relate to at least costs, uses, utilization and performance of the associated components, wherein said simulation model comprises a number of superordinate distinguishing parameters that characterize at least a type and number of the components considered in the simulation model as well as relationships existing between various components;

creating an initialization parameter set via association of an initial value with each distinguishing parameter;

determining an objective function of the distinguishing parameters;

determining, as variable, at least one distinguishing parameter selected from the superordinate distinguishing parameters;

varying the at least one variable distinguishing parameter according to a predetermined optimization algorithm with regard to a mathematical optimization of objective function; and

providing a recommendation for an optimized resource configuration that is based on using an optimized parameter set in which the objective function corresponds to a predetermined optimization rule.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein, the initial values for the initial parameter set are acquired using existing components of the facility (1).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the initial value of at least one distinguishing parameter that characterizes the utilization of a component is determined via automatic time recording.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the initial value of at least one distinguishing parameter that characterizes the use of a component is automatically determined using stored accounting rates.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the objective function reflects the total costs or a total cost or total use ratio of the components considered in the simulation model.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the forming of the simulation model ensues utilizing the pre-configured distinguishing parameter templates as building blocks, of which each pre-configured distinguishing parameter template is stored with regard to an available component type.

7. An optimization system for optimization of resources of a medical facility, wherein

the resources comprise:

a number of machine components; and

personnel components;

the optimization system comprises;

a model generation module that generates a simulation model numerically representing the components of the facility, within which simulation model a number of component-specific distinguishing parameters are associated with each component, which component-specific distinguishing parameters characterize at least costs, usage, utilization and performance of the associated components, the simulation model defining a number of superordinate distinguishing parameters that characterize at least a type and number of the components considered in the simulation model as well as relationships existing between various components;

an input for assigning distinguishing parameters with respectively one associated initial value;

a calculation model that varies a number of superordinate distinguishing parameters determined as variable according to requirements of a mathematical optimization of an objective function of the distinguishing parameters; and

an evaluation model that derives a recommendation for an optimized resource configuration using an optimized parameter set in which the objective function corresponds to a predetermined optimization rule.

8. The optimization system according to claim 7, further comprising:

a storage model comprising one associated distinguishing parameter template per available component type for a number of available component types for generation of the simulation model as a building block system.