Optimization of the Patient Care Process in Ophthalmology: FlexSim Healthcare Simulation for IHSS Ophthalmology Clinic

The Honduran Institute of Social Security (IHSS) is a public institution created in 1959 that provides medical care to its affiliates, i.e., Honduran workers, their families and retirees. Over time, many Hondurans have benefited from the health care services provided by the IHSS, which have been increasing despite the problems the institution has faced. This project is based on the evaluation of the operation of the ophthalmology area of the IHSS, which works under an appointment scheduling system that is not fulfilled most of the time for various reasons, which means that not all members have the possibility of acquiring a place in this area. Many patients, despite having an appointment, do not attend their appointments, causing a delay in the system and giving way to "lost appointment" consultations. At the end of the day, the general ophthalmologists are unable to meet the goal set by the institution of seeing 24 patients (16 in the case of the pediatrician) per day, much less those who missed their appointment days before.