Write a 2-3 page paper on the case - "The Emergency Room (ER) at Northwest General (B)" p. 352.

1. Discuss the pros and cons of using average demand to assess capacity requirements. Is this a reasonable approach for the ER?

2. Make a recommendation for Jenn as to what she should do and the information that she should provide in her request.

(CASES The Emergency Room (ER) at Northwest General (B) Jenn Kostich, director of emergency services at Northwest Gen- The area has been stable in population growth over the pa eral Hospital, is faced with a decision on how to respond to a re- 10 years. The area is also a significant tourist destination fo cent memo. Her response could affect the entire ER operation, campers, hikers, and nature lovers. During the tourist season and she wants to make sure it is prepared correctly. consisting of summer months (June, July, and August), winter holidays (December), and spring break (March and April)-the The Problem population swells by as much as 30 percent. Jenn has just learned that the board of Northwest General has The ER has been able to meet demand adequately during the approved plans for a large remodeling and expansion project. nontourist season. However, it does not have sufficient capacity All department directors of the hospital have been asked to to meet demand when tourists arrive. These peak perwds, provide an assessment of their capacity needs if they were re- amounting to 6 out of 12 months, have been extremely difficult questing an increase in their departmental space. The directors for the ER staff. The ER does not have enough space capacity for were told to specify the amount of increase they required and the large number of patients during these periods. Frequently, provide justification for the request. They were also directed to they have to resort to using hallways and closets for patient base their requests on the average of their departments' de- space. The staff feel that this is unacceptable, not to mention mand requirements. unsafe. The ER desperately needs more space, and Jenn is easily able The capacity problems occur only during the busy tourist to provide the needed documentation. However, she is not sure season, Computing the average of the capacity requirements whether it is reasonable to base capacity requirements for the ER does not reveal this problemi, as the peak demands are averaged on average demand. with the lower demands during the nontourist season. Background Case Questions Northwest General is the only major hospital in the area be- 1. Discuss the pros and cons of using average demand to ask tween Seattle and Vancouver. Its ER is always busy, since it is the capacity requirements. Is this a reasonable approach for the ER? only hospital servicing the local population and visitors during 2. Make a recommendation for Jenn as to what she should the long tourist season. do and the information that she should provide in her request