Serious Gaming of Logistics Management in Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Pediatric emergency departments face significant operational challenges, particularly regarding patient flow management and the mitigation of systemic overcrowding. To address these complexities, researchers have developed a serious game that integrates discrete-event simulation and agent-based modeling to replicate the high-stakes environment of a Swedish pediatric emergency unit. By utilizing Business Process Modelling Notation and empirical shift data, this simulation provides a robust framework for training staff and testing strategic decision-making in a virtual, risk-free setting.

The simulation model functions as a sophisticated decision-support tool, allowing users to act as emergency department nurses who manage resource allocation and infrastructure in real-time. Performance is evaluated through critical metrics, including resource utilization, patient lead times, and overall length of stay. Findings indicate that human-led decision-making within these simulations often outperforms purely automated forecasting, as participants demonstrate a superior ability to manage nurse workloads during periods of high patient volume.

Data analysis reveals that system resilience is highly sensitive to patient inflow, with a 120% patient flow multiplier serving as a critical threshold that leads to rapid operational degradation. To maintain optimal efficiency and prevent the negative impacts of overcrowding, the research suggests that healthcare resource utilization should be maintained below an 80% threshold. Ultimately, the integration of serious gaming into medical logistics training offers a viable pathway for improving operational performance, fostering proactive human resource management, and enhancing the decision-making capabilities of healthcare leaders tasked with navigating the complexities of modern emergency medicine.