Queue Management during Health Pandemics: A Queuing Theory Perspective| Asian Journal of Research...

The era of coronavirus has necessitated long-term social separation measures to prevent the viral sickness from spreading. Healthcare organisations are shrinking their workforces, while others are shifting their operations to shift work in order to maintain social distancing norms. The potential for waiting lines at service delivery places is inherent in the social distancing protocol. Many countries' healthcare facilities are already overburdened with patients seeking treatment for minor to severe ailments on a daily basis. COVID-19 has added to the already strained health-care systems. While the number of visitors is growing, social distancing measures must be used. The time it takes to deliver services, which is critical for patients visiting hospitals for treatment, is reduced. Waiting lines, which are a barrier to healthcare service, have grown prevalent in most healthcare centres, particularly in Ghana. In addition to financial losses, delays and inadequate healthcare may result in the loss of lives. Health care organisations are grappling with how to effectively manage employee schedules in order to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 while also bolstering capacity to meet increased health-care delivery needs. As a result, attempts to reduce the amount of time spent waiting for medical attention are critical. In this paper, we use query theory to examine the wait situation at a hypothetical Outpatient Department (OPD) and make recommendations for queue management. The research was carried out throughout the month of May 2020. We also provide a method for determining the appropriate number of service windows needed to reduce the amount of time spent waiting for medical attention. A numerical study of the queuing condition at the case department is also provided, based on applicable queuing theory equations.

Please see the link :- https://www.journalajrcos.com/index.php/AJRCOS/article/view/30164