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

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

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