Visualization of various objects using graph theory can be effectively used as a toolkit for solving various applied management problems. The existing quantitative metrics of network analysis are able to bring closer to understanding the interactions of various navigation objects of medical organizations in the framework of patient flow management.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
On the basis of graph theory, conduct a network analysis of patient flows and formulate proposals for improving the visualization system of a medical organization.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The collection of primary data on patient flows was carried out by studying regulatory documents of various levels, auditing premises, direct observation, interviewing staff and visitors, mapping the value stream and building spaghetti diagrams. The network analysis consisted of 4 stages with a statistical assessment of the macro-level and micro-level of the formed network and the calculation of a number of indicators of the network density, path length and diameter of the network, the degree of nodes, clustering coefficients, proximity, efficiency and assortative mixing.
RESULTS
A connected network graph with one connectivity component included 25 network nodes and 154 directed connections between them. Analysis of the network of navigation objects made it possible to identify the core and periphery of the network. The calculation of the indicators of the macro level of the network allowed us to determine the average degree of the network, equal to 12.32. The ratio of the number of links in a graph to the number of links in a complete graph with the same number of nodes was 0.257, the global network clustering coefficient was 0.412, which indicates the presence of several large clusters around the main nodes of the network.
CONCLUSION
The analysis made it possible to mathematically prove the existence of central axial nodes in the building of a medical organization, in which the greatest intersection of visitor flows is formed — these are the wardrobe, registration and cashier areas. In these spaces, it is necessary to create an understandable, concise and informative visualization system in the first place.
