Question

In this simulation, theoretical utilization of the intensive care unit (ICU) is calculated as the flow rate of patients that arrive for service at the ICU in a given unit of time divided by the ICU’s capacity to serve customers in that same unit of time. You can think about this as demand/capacity. What is the theoretical utilization of the ICU if the mean inter-arrival time is 4 hour(s), the mean length of stay is 6 hour(s), and there are 4 beds in the ICU?

Answer 1

The theoretical utilization of the ICU is:

= 0.25 or 25%

Step-by-step explanation:

Inter-arrival time or flow rate of patients that arrive for service at the ICU = 4 hours

Mean length of stay = 6 hours

ICU's capacity to serve customers in 6 hours = 4*6 = 24 bed-hours

Total demand = 6 hours

Therefore, the theoretical utilization = flow rate of patients that arrive for service at the ICU in a given unit of time divided by ICU's capacity to serve customers in that same unit of time

= 6 hours/24 bed-hours

= 0.25