AN INTRODUCTION TO DISCRETE-EVENT SIMULATION FOR HEALTHCARE

Format Requirements: Participants will require an Intel based computer running Windows or a Mac with a windows emulator. Participants may share laptops. Discrete event simulation models will be constructed using Arena or other software at the teacher’s discretion. Demonstration versions of software used in the class will be made available during and before the course. No previous knowledge is necessary. Recommended texts: Handbook of Simulation" by Banks, "Simulation Modeling and Analysis" by Law and Kelton, “Introduction to Operations Research” by Hillier and Lieberman

This is both a hands on and conceptual course that will use in-class exercises to teach the building blocks of discrete-event simulation.  Participants will also learn the basics of queuing theory and learn how to compare different simulation scenarios.

Basic programming concepts include:

• Entities
• Attributes
• Events
• Delays
• Resources
• Queues
• Stations

Basic statistical concepts include

• observational statistics, e.g.- waiting times, flowtimes, counts
• time-persistent statistics, e.g., status of a resource, number of entities in system, queue length

Goals:

1. Understand basic queuing theory
2. Learn basic modeling techniques
3. Learn basic simulation statistics.