Planning an emergency department holding unit

A generalized computer simulation model of the queuing process in an emergency department holding unit has been developed to evaluate the effects of changes in demand and utilization policies upon the congestion level in the unit. Bed utilization percentages, census level and daily service level are the criteria used to measure congestion. The model is also used to determine when additional staff are needed and to investigate the extent to which economies of scale exist. The Springfield Hospital Medical Center holding unit is used to demonstrate how this model may be utilized.