Use of discrete event simulation and lean production in medical care analysis of a colonoscopy center

Abstract

High-quality medical care has become imperative amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Advances in the development of computer simulation models to resolve issues in inefficient hospital services, especially with regard to the appropriate use of resources and reduction of waiting times, have an essential purpose. In this context, the objective of this research is to apply Discrete Event Simulation in a coloproctology care center, combined with the premises of Lean Production to highlight the “non-value-adding activities” of the procedural flow. The methodology used was modeling and simulation using real data. The object of study is a colonoscopy center located at the Hospital das Clínicas Samuel Libânio in Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais, which provides services in the morning. As a result, an average value-adding percentage value of 28.24% in providing care was evidenced, which indicates inefficient operation due to the unsatisfactory use of medical and nursing professionals in patient care.