Abstract

The flexible surgery ward – an interdisciplinary approach
“The flexible surgery ward” was driven by an interdisciplinary collaboration between a data engineer, a logistician and an architect, but it also involves surgical clinicians, medical engineers, construction engineers, innovation consultants, and project managers.

This interdisciplinary approach allows advanced data simulation, strategic logistical concepts, and design thinking to come together and create knowledge that can assist the dimensioning and planning of a hospital. This three-headed spear is recognised as an important tool to facilitate a constructive and precise dialogue between external and internal stakeholders.

This case study applies data simulation in the shape of discrete event modelling. The model monitors utilisation degrees of pre-, intra- and post-operative areas. Complexity arises, especially from stochastic distributions of patient arrivals and processing times, and multiple professions involved in patient care. In time, the model’s process flow will be extended. The model simulates scenarios with more or fewer operating theatres, as well as pre- and post-patient beds. Simulation modelling, such as discrete event modelling, has proven very useful in the evaluation of different design proposals. Preliminary results have been well received and have immediately fostered new hypotheses to be tested.

The logistical concepts strive to support the project’s softer values by first understanding them, and then enhancing the user experience through choices of both concepts and product solutions.

Design thinking comes from the architects on the client side and seeks to find the best compromise between all considerations and expert assessments, thus delivering deeper and more accurate feedback to the advisors designing the new hospital.

An interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, logistical experts and data engineers aims to ensure that decisions about the physical layout of the new hospital is based on the best possible foundation or knowledge level. A data simulation model yields instant insights into the impacts of various changes to the layout. Strategies, concepts and product solutions for vertical and horizontal flows, and distribution of goods, shape the way the hospitals will be used, and how we can meet increasingly strict demands for efficiency optimisation in the future.

Both the data simulation and logistical concepts deliver invaluable insight, and they come together through the architecture and design thinking. By gaining this knowledge early in the process, it’s possible to give advisors better feedback and receive better project deliveries as a result.