Open AccessCustomer Service Multichannel Model in a HCPS: A Discrete Simulation Case Study
Author(s) -
Jorge Aníbal Restrepo Morales,
Emerson Andrés Giraldo Betancur,
Juan Gabriel Vanegas López
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
revista innovar journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.156
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 2248-6968
pISSN - 0121-5051
DOI - 10.15446/innovar.v29n72.77934
Subject(s) - ticket , computer science , service (business) , queueing theory , process (computing) , discrete event simulation , operations research , process management , simulation , computer network , engineering , business , marketing , operating system
This paper evaluates the real capacity of the customer service system in a Health Care Service Provider (HCSP) in which users request a service using a multi-channel M/M/n queueing system with Poisson arrivals and exponential times. The assistance process shows that an individual who wants to request a diagnostic test must wait his/her turn in several cubicles. The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology that generates two-way results in improving not only HCSP performance, but also in implementing strategies that lead to better service perception. A discrete-event simulation model is presented to determine the times for processes and forecast the demand. The entire process in HCSP takes up to four hours, although, based on our results, waiting times could be 50% shorter by decreasing the number of operative tasks that physicians and nurses should perform and implementing an electronic ticket dispenser. Improving customer service is relevant for a HCSP organization. Therefore, our simulation process could be implemented in different scenarios in order to integrate results in planning and decision-making processes.