Developing Domain-specific Simulation Objects for Modeling Clinical Laboratory Operations

Abstract

Clinical laboratories play a critical role in patient diagnosis, treatment planning and prevention of disease. The inherent complexity of clinical laboratories lies both in the volume and variety of specimen types, which varies by time of day/week and hospital census; different handling and processing requirements based on patient characteristics; the diversity of lab equipment and specialized instruments to perform the tests; and the requirements for appropriately credentialed staff on a 24/7 schedule. Although clinical laboratories reflect many aspects of traditional production systems, the medical profession is, as are most specialized areas of practice, much more willing to entertain modeling approaches that describe their systems with domain-appropriate terminology and semantics. This thesis discusses the development of a framework for creating domain-specific simulation objects for modeling clinical laboratories. These objects are developed based on the chemistry laboratory at Seattle Children's Hospital. In addition, three case studies are conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the objects.