Skip to content
University of Maryland LibrariesDigital Repository at the University of Maryland
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   DRUM
    • A. James Clark School of Engineering
    • Institute for Systems Research Technical Reports
    • View Item
    •   DRUM
    • A. James Clark School of Engineering
    • Institute for Systems Research Technical Reports
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Queueing Models and Assessment Tools for Improving Mass Dispensing and Vaccination Clinic Planning

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    MS_2006-1.pdf (3.357Mb)
    No. of downloads: 2665

    Date
    2006
    Author
    Treadwell, Mark
    Advisor
    Herrmann, Dr. Jeffrey
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    To react to an outbreak of a contagious disease that requires medication or vaccination, county health departments must set up and operate mass dispensing and vaccination centers, commonly known as points of dispensing (PODs), to treat residents who may be affected. Carefully planning these PODs before an event occurs is a difficult and important job. Simulation models can provide an accurate representation of resident flow through PODs, but are not convenient for public health professionals to access. Queueing theory provides a multitude of analytical models appropriate for various situations so many models that it is often difficult to discern which model is correct for a particular circumstance. There are also some situations for which no models are available, particularly those involving batching and multiple servers. A complete set has been gathered of those models that are the most generalized, and hence useful for the widest range of applications. Where no appropriate model was available, modifications to the existing equations are proposed and tested. To implement this general queueing framework, software has been developed which can quickly generate planning models using steady-state queueing network approximations; these models use commonly available spreadsheet software to maximize accessibility for public health emergency planners. The planning models are validated against models created in several queueing software packages, along with simulation models automatically generated from the planning models. The number of stations and staff within a POD are not the only concerns that a public health emergency preparedness and response plan must address. A plan assessment tool is proposed, which can help planners ensure that their POD plans include all relevant information. A layout assessment tool is also developed, which endeavors to give planners suggestions on how to design PODs for maximum efficiency.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1903/6589
    Collections
    • Institute for Systems Research Technical Reports

    DRUM is brought to you by the University of Maryland Libraries
    University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-7011 (301)314-1328.
    Please send us your comments.
    Web Accessibility
     

     

    Browse

    All of DRUMCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister
    Pages
    About DRUMAbout Download Statistics

    DRUM is brought to you by the University of Maryland Libraries
    University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-7011 (301)314-1328.
    Please send us your comments.
    Web Accessibility