The InsTITuTe for sysTems research DRUM（系统研究所鼓）.pdf

The InsTIT uT e for sysT ems research Isr Techn Ical reporT 2007-24 a survey of Queuing Theory applications in healthcare samuel fomundam, Jeffrey herrmann Isr develops, applies and teaches advanced methodologies of design and analysis to solve complex, hierarchical, heterogeneous and dynamic prob- lems of engineering technology and systems for industry and government. Isr is a permanent institute of the university of maryland, within the a. James clark school of engineering. It is a graduated national science foundation engineering research center. A SURVEY OF QUEUING THEORY APPLICATIONS IN HEALTHCARE Samuel F. Fomundam Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 Jeffrey W. Herrmann Department of Mechanical Engineering and Institute for Systems Research University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 Abstract This paper surveys the contributions and applications of queuing theory in the field of healthcare. The paper summarizes a range of queuing theory results in the following areas: waiting time and utilization analysis, system design, and appointment systems. The paper also considers results for systems at different scales, including individual departments (or units), healthcare facilities, and regional healthcare systems. The goal is to provide sufficient information to analysts who are i