ABSTRACT
In 2005, the National Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Medicine highlighted the need for a systems approach to the healthcare system and the application of systems engineering tools to improve healthcare. The purpose of the tool is to design the processes system-wide such that the system always works right for the patients and patients never get harmed even if the components of a system malfunction or caregivers make mistakes. Healthcare Systems Engineering methods range from creative brainstorming to using risk analysis tools, to using advanced mathematical modeling to analyze real-time decision-making such as to determine optimal time to transplant organs and tissues from living donors to maximize the life expectancy of the patients. The Mayo Clinic focuses healthcare systems engineering toward their goal to improve healthcare for patients and staff members. Data and decision engineering projects stem from award winning care delivery and discoveries and established developments in practice.
