Modeling and improving the logistic distribution network of a hospital. (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Madelin, Gabriel; Lahrichi, Nadia
• Is Part Of: International transactions in operational research. Volume 28:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: decision‐making -- logistic distribution network -- optimization -- simulation; Operations research -- Periodicals; 003
• DOI: 10.1111/itor.12697
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-6016

Abstract

Abstract: This paper discusses using simulation and optimization to improve the hospital‐internal distribution network, for example, how to schedule and deliver the goods, which items should go on which cart, how to manage the variable consumption in the units, etc. We use a real case to build a simulation model to test various processes and incorporate an optimization algorithm to find the best distribution routes. The results highlight concrete improvements that could be made. These are the use of the same cart for different types of supplies to reduce the number of routes, the reduction of the distribution frequency for certain care units, and the use of optimized routes to reduce the transportation time.