Implementing Optimization Algorithms in Swedish Healthcare AI-Based Simulation and Optimization of Internal Patient Trans- ports at Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Sammanfattning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into the field of medicineto improve treatment outcome, enhance efficiency and streamline internal hospi-tal transports. This study investigates the application of AI to optimize patienttransport at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The goal is to identify different meth-ods that can help to improve patient flow and resource allocation. Interviews atSahlgrenska along with an expert within AI were conducted to gain a better un-derstanding of how AI can be altered and used. Anonymous important data fromSahlgrenska with patient transport times, different departments and porter avail-ability were analyzed over the course of a year’s time. The main challenge was creat-ing an AI-based simulation system that accurately represents Sahlgrenska and alsoshowcases a model of how the porters transport patients throughout the hospital.This was done with genetic algorithms (GA) as well as integer linear programming(ILP) and for the systems to give valid data the hospital transport data must closelyreplicate the actual size and operations of the hospital.The results show that the AI-based system could substantially improve hospitaltransports in regards to distributing the workload more equitably, maximizing ef-ficiency and reducing cost as well as preventing further financial losses. Finallya conclusion that an AI-based system for coordinating patient transport could bedrawn. Challenges for implementations include system integration, data privacy andethical task allocation. Nevertheless, strategic planning along with investments, AIoffers considerable potential when it comes to modernizing hospital logistics andfostering a more efficient and patient-oriented healthcare system.Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Patient Transport Optimization, HealthcareLogistics, Simulation Modeling, Genetic Algorithms (GA), Integer Linear Program-ming (ILP), Workload Balancing, Resource Allocation, Efficiency Improvement,Sahlgrenska University Hospital