ABSTRACT
A simulation project was performed to assist with redesign of the surgery department of a large tertiary hospital and to help administrators make the best decisions about relocating, staffing, and equipping the central sterilization department. A simulation model was created to analyze department configurations, staff schedules, equipment capacities, and cart-washing requirements. Performance measures examined include tray turnaround time, surgery-delay rate, and work-in-process levels. The analysis provides significant insight into how the proposed system will perform, allowing planning for expected patient volume increases. This work illustrates how simulation can facilitate the design of a central sterilization department and improve surgical sterilization operations.
Subject(s)
Central Supply, Hospital/organization & administration , Computer Simulation , Interior Design and Furnishings/methods , Operating Rooms/organization & administration , Sterilization/organization & administration , Benchmarking/organization & administration , Clinical Nursing Research , Efficiency, Organizational , Ergonomics , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Hospital Design and Construction/methods , Humans , Indiana , Needs Assessment , Operating Room Nursing/organization & administration , Personnel Staffing and Scheduling/organization & administration , Time and Motion Studies , Total Quality Management/organization & administrationABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the use of adaptive competency acquisition in Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) graduate candidates as an assessment mechanism for career mobility. Participants completed the The results indicated that LPN graduate candidates developed adaptive competencies necessary for career transition. The results place value on career mobility, while providing educators insight into the basic competencies of one level of educational preparation, which can aid in service-based program development.
