Designing a RFID/IoT prototype for improving COVID19 test centers daily operations

ABSTRACT

In this research paper, we propose a hybrid agent-based and discrete-event simulation model coupled with a RFID/IoT infrastructure for improving COVID19 test centers located in Montreal region. This study is important, since defining an optimal capacity for healthcare operations is always a challenge, especially in a pandemic mode. Indeed, in such situations, all managers are more concerned by the effectiveness of daily operations regardless their efficiency. Even though, this can be meaningful and largely acceptable, it could lead to critical situations depending on how the current situation may evolve. To improve the performance of COVID19 test centers, it requires a good understanding of logistics flows and a visibility on daily patient inflows and different resource utilization. We propose a RFID/IoT infrastructure that captures test centers real time data and make them available to be used by our hybrid simulation model. The model uses real time data to continuously adjust test centers capacity. This study is part of a bigger project conducted in Montreal region where we design and develop Digital Twins modules to assist different healthcare units such as emergency departments, COVID19 vaccination centers as well as COVID19 test centers. © 2021 The Authors.