Advanced optimization techniques are often necessary to solve real problems in health care. Techniques like goal programming and data envelopment analysis are often used to solve multiple objective problems, such as minimizing cost while maximizing access measures. Other advanced techniques are often required for problems that sometimes seem straightforward. Although you may not encounter the use of advanced optimization techniques on a day-to-day basis, understanding the methodology and application of these techniques is a valuable skill for the healthcare administration leader.
For this Assignment, review the resources for this week. Reflect on, and consider, the advanced optimization techniques highlighted. Think about how you might apply these advanced optimization techniques to healthcare delivery challenges in a health services organization.
For Chapter 14, problems 80 and 90, you will need to download the files P14_80.xlsx and P14_90.xlsx from the textbook companion website http://www.cengage.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&product_isbn_issn=9781305947542. Under “Book Resources”, click on “Student Downloads” to view the downloadable files. Click “Problem Files” and download the zipped file 1305947541_538885.zip. Open the zipped file, and select folder “Problem Files” and then select folder “Chapter 14” to access the files P14_80.xlsx and P14_90.xlsx.
The Assignment: (3–5 pages)
- Complete Problem 80 (pharmaceutical company) and Problem 90 (brain tumor) on pages 751 and 753 of your course text.
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Introduction:
Advanced optimization techniques are critical in solving multiple objective problems in the healthcare industry. Techniques such as goal programming and data envelopment analysis play a vital role in minimizing costs while maximizing access measures. The use of advanced optimization techniques requires an in-depth understanding of the methodology and its application in healthcare administration. This article seeks to respond to a question on the application of advanced optimization techniques to healthcare delivery challenges in a health services organization.
Answer:
The application of advanced optimization techniques is crucial in addressing healthcare delivery challenges in a health services organization. One of the advanced optimization techniques is goal programming, which is vital in healthcare organizations, considering that the industry faces multiple objective problems. Goal programming would play an important role in minimizing costs and maximizing access measures such as reducing waiting time for patients and improving health outcomes.
For instance, in a pharmaceutical company, it would be essential to use goal programming to maximize profitability and minimize costs of production. In this case, the pharmaceutical company would need to set various objectives, such as reducing the cost of production, minimizing machine downtime, and maximizing machine utilization. Goal programming would help the company achieve these objectives simultaneously, leading to an optimal outcome.
Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is another optimization technique that is critical in healthcare. The method is used to evaluate decision-making units and their relative efficiency. Health services organizations can use DEA to measure performance and efficiency across various departments, such as the laboratory and radiology units. DEA enables healthcare administrators to identify areas where there are inefficiencies and take appropriate measures to address them. For instance, in a hospital, DEA can be used to measure the efficiency of medical personnel by evaluating their output in terms of the number of patients treated and the length of stay in the hospital.
In conclusion, advanced optimization techniques, such as goal programming and data envelopment analysis, are necessary tools in addressing healthcare delivery challenges in health services organizations. The use of these techniques helps health administrators to minimize costs, maximize access measures, and improve efficiency and performance across healthcare departments. Health services organizations must, therefore, invest in training and developing the skills of their healthcare administrators on how to apply these techniques effectively.
