Hospital Operating Theater System: System Dynamics

System Dynamics is defined by Sterman: “System dynamics is a method to enhance learning in complex systems”(Sterman, 2000). The hospital operating theater system is indeed a complex system given its many dimensions, processes and underlying dynamics. The magnitude of the service demand is driven by complex population dynamic. The availability of care workers is dictated by a plethora of different factors. The list of complexities is long. System Dynamics therefore appears to be a valuable approach to better the understanding of the operating theater system and enhance the quality of the planning put into it. One must consider the delays involved in the process. These delays infer that planning should take place ahead of the arousal of problems;

It is further suggested that “System dynamics shows promise as a means of modeling multiple interacting diseases and risks, the interaction of delivery systems and diseased populations, and matters of national and state policy” (Homer and Hirsch, 2006). Homer and Hirsch underline the fact that “many public health interventions fall short of their goals because they are made in piecemeal fashion, rather than comprehensively and from a whole system perspective” (Homer and Hirsch, 2006). A system dynamics model of the hospital operating theater system in Bangladesh allows for comprehensive and whole system perspective and could be an important tool for avoiding future shortcomings in the services rendered to the seniors of

Their work is devoted to Spanish hospitals, but the dynamics involved are relevant also to the hospitals in Bangladesh. The article underline that waiting lists are manifestations of lacking efficiency in hospital services. Waiting lists “…reveal the organization’s incapability to satisfy their demand within a period of time considered as appropriate by their users” (Gonzalez-Busto and Garcia, 1999). This article outlines several policies to reduce waiting lists. One policy suggestion is however important. Gonzales-Busto and Garcia suggest subcontracting private services when the public institutions are generating excessive backlogs (Gonzalez-Busto and Garcia, 1999). This strategy may prove important in the future hospital operating theater service in Bangladesh; should the hospital service system fail to provide sufficient service a market for private institutions must be expected to