Benefits of Qualitative Simulation for Managing Fluctuating Staffing Needs

Methods for qualitative simulation allow predictions on the dynamics of a system to be made in the absence of quantitative information, by inferring the range of possible qualitative behaviors compatible with the structure of the system. This article reviews QSIM and other qualitative simulation methods. It discusses two problems that have seriously compromised the application of these methods to realistic problems in science and engineering: the occurrence of spurious behavior predictions and the combinatorial explosion of the number of behavior predictions. In response to these problems, related approaches for the qualitative analysis of dynamic systems have emerged: qualitative phase-space analysis and semi-quantitative simulation. The article argues for a synthesis of these approaches in order to obtain a computational framework for the qualitative analysis of dynamic systems. This should provide a solid basis for further upscaling and for the development of model-based reasoning applications of a wider scope.

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Alternate care sites during the COVID-19 pandemic: Policy Implications for pandemic surge planning

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2021.241 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Sue Anne Bell ◽

Lydia Krienke ◽

Kathryn Quanstrom

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Capacity Planning ◽

The United States ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Multiple Response ◽

Current Policy ◽

Surge Capacity ◽

Effective Care ◽

The Us ◽

Staffing Needs

Abstract Alternate care sites across the US were widely underutilized during the COVID-19 outbreak, while the volume and severity of COVID-19 cases overwhelmed health systems across the United States. The challenges presented by the pandemic have shown the need to design surge capacity principles with consideration for demand that strains multiple response capabilities. We reviewed current policy and previous literature from past ACS as well as highlight challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, to make recommendations that can inform future surge capacity planning. Our recommendations include: 1) Preparedness actions need to be continuous and flexible; 2) Staffing needs must be met as they arise with solutions that are specific to the pandemic; 3) Health equity must be a focus of ACS establishment and planning; and 4) ACS should be designed to function without compromising safe and effective care. A critical opportunity exists to identify improvements for future use of ACS in pandemics.

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