Simulation Research on the Clinical Path of Non -Small Cell Lung Cancer Surgery Based on Time Petri Net

Abstract

Background Clinical pathways are increasingly adopted to control costs and enhance quality management, becoming a standardized approach in treatment. This study aims to develop a hospital-specific clinical pathway for non-small cell lung cancer surgery, based on national standards and actual treatment practices, and evaluate its service efficiency through simulation. Methods We analyzed 94 electronic medical records of non-small cell lung cancer surgeries conducted from May 2020 to November 2022. The need for a localized clinical pathway was assessed by statistically analyzing delays in recorded treatment processes. A time Petri Net model was subsequently developed for this pathway, and simulations were conducted to determine the impact on hospital length of stay post-implementation. Results The existing treatment processes at the hospital generally conformed to national clinical pathway standards. The analysis of the Petri Net model confirmed its validity and effectiveness. Simulation results indicated that the average hospital stay is reduced to 8.20 days from a baseline of 7.76 days, achieving a total time reduction of approximately 10.28 hours, with reductions in individual diagnostic and treatment processes ranging from 0.15 to 5.04 hours. Conclusion The implementation of a tailored clinical pathway for non-small cell lung cancer surgery significantly improved service efficiency by aligning with national standards. This allows the hospital to better integrate and optimize medical resources, enhancing the overall quality of clinical pathway management.