Integration of value stream mapping and agent‐based modeling for OR improvement

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the research for improvement of the operating room in a hospital, to reduce patient waiting time and increase the resource utilization. Design/methodology/approach – Value stream mapping (VSM) is used to represent the entire operating room (OR) process and patient flow to identify problems. Agent‐based simulation (ABS) is applied to model human behaviors in the OR operation. Agents perform human factors in the simulation model with autonomous and interactive functions actively. Findings – The research outcomes prove the effectiveness of integrated VSM and ABS to improve decision making in human‐centred healthcare environments. Research limitations/implications – Because the state is dynamically changed, the task priority needs to be updated dynamically. The nurse schedule to transport patients between different units is to be detailed. Practical implications – Long waiting lists in hospitals lead to patient dissatisfaction and care quality reduction. It is crucial to identify inefficiency and to improve the healthcare delivery effectively. Originality/value – The paper shows how VSM and ABS are integrated in the modeling for the dynamic OR planning. It improves the simulation modeling of healthcare delivery.