Research Journal of Applied Sciences

Year: 2015
Volume: 10
Issue: 10
Page No. 558 - 567

Expansion of a Timed Colored Petri Nets Model for a Patient Health Care Center Flow Processes

Authors : R. Thamizharasan and Kumaravel Appavoo

Abstract: Hospital deals with human lives which are often at risk and where everything depends on quick response to diverse medical conditions. Thus, the need for efficient and effective management of patient care flow processes in a hospital is being one of the main leading goals in health sector. Here in this research, a Timed Colored Petri Nets (TCPN) formalism is used to develop a simulation model for patient care flow processes with strain on medical record area and examination rooms using Pondicherry Medical Centre, Pudhucherry Union Territory of India as a case study. The developed TCPN Model consists of a main model (arrival and evaluation module) and a sub-model (treatment module). The main model abstracts the arrival and operation (pre-treatment test) in the medical record area while the sub-model describes the operation (treatment) taking place in the examination room of the patient health centre. The developed TCPN Model was simulated using CPN tools while its validation was explored by comparing the simulated and actual number of patients of the patient health centre under study. The results obtained from the simulation of the TCPN Model revealed 33 (5 inpatients and 28 outpatients), 34 (9 inpatients and 25 outpatients), 29 (9 inpatients and 20 outpatients), 33 (10 inpatients and 23 outpatients) and 25 (6 inpatients and 19 outpatients) as the average numbers of patients entering the health centre during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th working days under consideration, respectively. Statistically, there were no significant differences between the simulated and real number of patients entering the health centre at 5% level. This give a confirmation that the developed TCPN Model accurately described the patient care flow processes of the health centre under study. The developed TCPN Model could serve as a referential model for studying and improving patient care flow processes in a named health centre.

How to cite this article:

R. Thamizharasan and Kumaravel Appavoo, 2015. Expansion of a Timed Colored Petri Nets Model for a Patient Health Care Center Flow Processes. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 10: 558-567.

Design and power by Medwell Web Development Team. © Medwell Publishing 2024 All Rights Reserved