Models for Improving Mass Dispensing and Vaccination Clinic Planning

EPSTEIN ISE DEPARTMENT SEMINAR - "Models for Improving Mass Dispensing and Vaccination Clinic Planning"Jeffrey W. HerrmannAssociate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Institute for Systems Research,
Director, Computer Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory, University of MarylandABSTRACT: To prepare for a biological attack or epidemic, public health departments must plan mass dispensing and vaccination clinics (MDVCs). This talk discusses simulation models and queueing network approximations being used to improve MDVC planning. Based on key clinic parameters, the models estimate clinic capacity and the time patients spend in the clinic. Clinic capacity affects the number of clinics that must be opened and the total time needed to vaccinate the affected population. The time-in-system affects the number of patients who are inside the clinic. More patients require more space and cause congestion, crowding, and confusion. To improve MDVC planning, researchers at the University of Maryland have been collaborating with public health professionals to develop appropriate models and implement them for use by emergency preparedness planners.The models determine not only the utilization of the staff in the clinic but also the average number of patients waiting in line at each station in the clinic and the average time that patients spend in the clinic. The presentation will also cover recommendations for clinic layout to improve patient flow.WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007, ANDRUS GERONTOLOGY BLDG, GER 309, 3:30-4:50 PM******BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: Jeffrey W. Herrmann is an associate professor at the University of Maryland, where he holds a joint appointment with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Institute for Systems Research. He is the Director of the Computer Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory. He is a member of INFORMS, ASME, IIE, SME, and ASEE.Dr. Herrmann earned his B.S. in applied mathematics from Georgia Institute of Technology. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow from 1990 to 1993, he received his Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Florida. His dissertation investigated production scheduling problems motivated by semiconductor manufacturing. He held a post-doctoral research position in the Institute for Systems Research from 1993 to 1995.Dr. Herrmann has led applied research projects supported by NSF, NIST, ONR, the Semiconductor Research Corporation, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Command, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, Harris Semiconductor, Northrop Grumman Electronic Sensors and Systems Division, Black & Decker, and other manufacturers in the state of Maryland. His publications cover topics in process planning, production scheduling, manufacturability evaluation, and manufacturing facility design. His current research interests include modeling and simulation of decision-making and operations for emergency preparedness, product development, and manufacturing.

Location: Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center (GER) - 309

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Georgia Lum