Anderhalvemeterpoli - Optimisation of patient flows and appointment schedules at the 1.5-metre outpatient clinic
Scaling up elective care within the constraints of the 1.5-metre social distancing measures during the Covid-19 pandemic requires a different approach to planning and organisation in outpatient clinics. In particular, the limited waiting area capacity is a bottleneck for the number of patients who can be seen each day.
The 1.5-Metre Outpatient Clinic project focuses on optimising patient flows and appointment schedules, taking into account both in-person and remote consultations. A key challenge is managing the number of patients in the waiting room, which is influenced by factors such as diagnostic preparation (e.g. blood tests), variation in consultation duration, and patients arriving too early or too late.
The aim of the project is to develop an integrated planning system based on Integrated Capacity Management (ICM). This system combines data analysis of historical patient flows with advanced mathematical models and algorithms. Based on this, a control model is being developed to support outpatient clinics in designing optimal consultation schedules and timetables, including associated process improvements such as adjusted patient routing and distribution across the day and week.
The approach developed utilises techniques from statistics, data science and operations research, and is integrated with existing hospital information systems. This enables the model to be deployed for both tactical and operational purposes.
The intended outcome is a widely applicable planning system that helps outpatient clinics make optimal use of their capacity, reduce waiting times and deliver safe care, even under spatial constraints.
Project partners: Rhythm, UMCU, SMK
