Health care supply networks in tightly and loosely coupled structures: exploration using agent-based modelling

作者：Kanagarajah A; Parker D^*; Xu H

来源：International Journal of Systems Science, 2010, 41(3): 261-270.

DOI：10.1080/00207720903326852

• supply networks
• agent-based modelling
• health care
• complex adaptive systems

Health care supply networks are multi-faceted complex structures. This article discusses architecture of complex systems and an agent-based modelling framework to study health care supply networks and their impact on patient safety, economics, and workloads. Here we demonstrate the application of a safety dynamics model proposed by Cook and Rasmussen (2005, '''Going Solid'': A Model of System Dynamics and Consequences for Patient Safety', Quality & Safety in Health Care, 14, 67-84.) to study a health care system, using a hypothetical simulation of an emergency department as a representative unit and its dynamic behaviour. By means of simulation, this article demonstrates the non-linear behaviours of a health service unit and its complexities; and how the safety dynamic model may be used to evaluate the various policy and design aspects of health care supply networks.

• 出版日期2010